DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6911#0160
108
architectural antiquities.
delineated in the ground-plan of Henry's Chapel, is manifested in various angles
and curves. The heads of each opening in the windows are enriched with
cinquefoil mouldings, rosettes, &c. and in several places the roses, portcullis, and
armorial supporters, are pompously displayed. It will be perceived that in Plate
II. the battlements, tops and forms of the windows, and string-course mouldings,
vary in the two different parts : and in Plate I. are shewn some of the windows
belonging to the Star-Building, of the style of Charles the First's reign.
In an apartment of Henry's building was the chimney-piece, marked No. 2, in
the annexed print ; the panelling, tracery, and columns of which, exactly cor-
respond with parts of the chapel at Westminster. The other chimney-piece, No. 1,
with the appropriate poker and tongs, is in a room at the east end of St. George's-
Hall, called the Prince's Presence-Chamber. This is presumed to be about the
age of Henry VIII.
The chimney-piece, represented in the title-page to this volume, is in the apart-
ment called Queen Elizabeth's Gallery, and the following inscription, on shields,
extending along the top of the frieze, shews the time of its erection. " ^;ta : tis :
—so :—reo :—ni :—25, ER : a0 : d° :—1000 :—500 : 83." The ceiling of
this room is nearly covered with ornamental tracery, with figures of the harp, rose,
crown, &c. part of which is shewn at the top of the annexed print.
In the present example of architectural design, and sculptural execution, we
recognize that fantastic decoration, ostentatious parade of profuse ornament,
and affectation of elegance, which were so peculiarly the characteristics of the
haughty and vain Queen, in the adornment of her person, and in all her public
and private pursuits. As the peculiar manners and taste of a popular monarch
always produce a powerful effect in regulating those of the higher class of society,
so we shall find that the chief novelties in domestic architecture, sculpture, and the
inferior kinds of mechanical arts, have commonly their origin at court, and are
thence progressively disseminated through the country. Hence we shall find that
the profusion of extraneous and puerile ornament, which is displayed in the chimney-
piece here represented, will be found to pervade nearly all the mansion-houses and
public buildings that were, in that age, erected in different parts of the kingdom.
The shell-roofed niche, grotesque pilasters, with caryatides, &c. columns having
the lower parts covered with carved foliage, and upper parts fluted; with a jumbled
mixture of cherubim, birds' and lions' heads, armorial bearings, mythological hiero-
glyphics, &c. composed the heterogeneous designs for the chimney-pieces, fronts of
architectural antiquities.
delineated in the ground-plan of Henry's Chapel, is manifested in various angles
and curves. The heads of each opening in the windows are enriched with
cinquefoil mouldings, rosettes, &c. and in several places the roses, portcullis, and
armorial supporters, are pompously displayed. It will be perceived that in Plate
II. the battlements, tops and forms of the windows, and string-course mouldings,
vary in the two different parts : and in Plate I. are shewn some of the windows
belonging to the Star-Building, of the style of Charles the First's reign.
In an apartment of Henry's building was the chimney-piece, marked No. 2, in
the annexed print ; the panelling, tracery, and columns of which, exactly cor-
respond with parts of the chapel at Westminster. The other chimney-piece, No. 1,
with the appropriate poker and tongs, is in a room at the east end of St. George's-
Hall, called the Prince's Presence-Chamber. This is presumed to be about the
age of Henry VIII.
The chimney-piece, represented in the title-page to this volume, is in the apart-
ment called Queen Elizabeth's Gallery, and the following inscription, on shields,
extending along the top of the frieze, shews the time of its erection. " ^;ta : tis :
—so :—reo :—ni :—25, ER : a0 : d° :—1000 :—500 : 83." The ceiling of
this room is nearly covered with ornamental tracery, with figures of the harp, rose,
crown, &c. part of which is shewn at the top of the annexed print.
In the present example of architectural design, and sculptural execution, we
recognize that fantastic decoration, ostentatious parade of profuse ornament,
and affectation of elegance, which were so peculiarly the characteristics of the
haughty and vain Queen, in the adornment of her person, and in all her public
and private pursuits. As the peculiar manners and taste of a popular monarch
always produce a powerful effect in regulating those of the higher class of society,
so we shall find that the chief novelties in domestic architecture, sculpture, and the
inferior kinds of mechanical arts, have commonly their origin at court, and are
thence progressively disseminated through the country. Hence we shall find that
the profusion of extraneous and puerile ornament, which is displayed in the chimney-
piece here represented, will be found to pervade nearly all the mansion-houses and
public buildings that were, in that age, erected in different parts of the kingdom.
The shell-roofed niche, grotesque pilasters, with caryatides, &c. columns having
the lower parts covered with carved foliage, and upper parts fluted; with a jumbled
mixture of cherubim, birds' and lions' heads, armorial bearings, mythological hiero-
glyphics, &c. composed the heterogeneous designs for the chimney-pieces, fronts of