Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/14

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
13

beautiful than the last, the decorations of this being really superb. Cream and gold are predominant on the ceiling, arms and orders being interspersed with brilliant effect. Over the doors "W.R." and "V.R." show the different periods of decorative work, these letters being surmounted with prosceniums of gold carved fruit and flowers. The walls are covered with salmon flock-paper, the floor carpeted in crimson "Wilton," showing a parquetry bordering of satin and rosewood. The doors are panelled in plate glass, with metal mouldings and ormolu mounts.

Even the shutters to the windows are an interesting study. They are circular, showing some of the finest joinery known, and have ormolu "money" mouldings. The curtains are heavy crimson silk with gold border and fringe. The chimney-pieces are choice carved marble, with friezes of ormolu, rose, shamrock, and thistle design. On one is a Vulliamy "Zodiacic" timepiece in marble and ormolu; also some beautiful Sèvres in turquoise and "Bleu de roi." Other specimens are scattered about the room on side-tables. The sideboards are massive mahogany with ormolu mounted backs. On the walls are the following portraits, life-sized, and in costly massive frames: Duke of Cumberland (Gainsborough), George III., Queen Charlotte, and Anne Duchess of Cumberland, each painted by the same master hand. Also there are Augusta Princess of Wales and Frederick Prince of Wales, by Van Loo; George II., by Shackleton, and Caroline, his Queen, by Seeman.

Before leaving this room I must not forget to say that it was here the wedding breakfast was laid for Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince Consort; the entire decoration being in pure white.


The Blue Drawing-Room.
From a Photo. by Debenham & Co.

We pass on to the "Blue Drawing Room." Notice the handsome plate-glass panelled doors with rich ormolu mounts, each surmounted with a crown, as you pass through. Then pause and gaze on the general effect of the grandly beautiful interior. The ceiling is a fine specimen of elliptical carving: bressummers support arches in which are carved reliefs representing the apotheosis of the poets. The carpet of this room is a feature: it is a beautiful Axminster,

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.