Fairfax House, York | ABOUT FAIRFAX HOUSE | The Collection

The Collection: Architectural features

Balusters
The design of the ironwork, by Leeds ironsmith Maurice Tobin, with its figure of eight pattern and interlacing scrollwork is similar to that seen at Aske Hall near Richmond, Yorks.
Category: Architectural feature

John Locke Panel
One of four ‘basso relievo’ medallions garnished with oak leaves and set in panels on the stucco ceiling. The names appear in the ribbons above their heads.
Category: Architectural feature

Musical Score
Set within the Saloon ceiling is a manuscript of music dedicated to 'Belinda & Amelia'. Research by Barbara Peel in the British Library unearthed the score and words published in the Universal Magazine for Dec. 1758.
Category: Architectural feature

Putti
The chubby little figure holds aloft in one hand a pendant on a ribbon. Within the pendant are seen a pair of hearts (symbols of sacred and profane love) and a rose which together, identifies this as a metaphor for the Roman Catholic religion.
Category: Architectural feature

Stucco Ceiling
Lord Fairfax will have worked closely with the stuccoist, Giuseppe Cortese, to create this complex medley of message and meaning.
Category: Architectural feature

Stucco Dragon
In western civilisations, the dragon is often used as a metaphor for the devil and this is the intention with the display.
Category: Architectural feature

Stucco medallion - 'Roma'
Between the doors on the ground floor and set high is this draped stucco medallion of Roma after a design in Phillipe Maffei, Gemme Antiche Figurate, 1707.
Category: Architectural feature

Stuccowork - 'Abundance'
The design in the Dining Room ceiling is taken from the illustrated works of Cesare Ripa c.1645, 4th. edn. a pattern book in great favour with Italian stuccoists of the day.
Category: Architectural feature

Stuccowork - 'Friendship'
The image of the bare foot, partly clad woman is taken from a popular pattern book by Cesare Ripa,(1645,4th edn.).
Category: Architectural feature

Venetian Window
The finely proportioned window has solid Siena marble columns, the original glazing bars and a stone balustrade below.
Category: Architectural feature

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