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Fairfax House
Castlegate
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YO1 9RN

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Explore Fairfax: Drawing Room
Explore Fairfax: Drawing Room
The smaller of two principal rooms on the first floor is the Drawing Room with its complex coffered ceiling and walls hung in a green cotton Damask.
Charles Gregory, 9th Viscount Fairfax by Thomas Ramos, 1989 after a painting by an unknown artist. - click to zoom image
Charles Gregory, 9th Viscount Fairfax by Thomas Ramos, 1989 after a painting by an unknown artist.
 
At the centre of the ceiling is a figure of Friendship set within an elaborate pattern of interlacing scrolls and foliage.

Most of the furniture is made of Walnut and the Chest on Stand and Double Dome Bureau Cabinet contain a wealth of secret drawers.

Portraits include Anne’s mother and a charming study of Mary Palmer, favourite niece of Sir Joshua Reynolds.

The Chinese export ceramics are all of the famille verte period and some feature episodes from the popular Chinese novel, 'The Romance of the Western Chamber'.

This small anti-room was for many years during the 20thC, part of a dancehall. Walls had been knocked out, but thankfully steel beams were inserted, in order to hold the ceiling in place.

The walls are hung with a cotton Damask woven in a popular floral pattern. Paintings are hung high in typical Georgian fashion and include portraits of Archbishop Herring, Lord Fairfax and a Mr. Tregeagle who sports a fashionable 'Steenkirk' cravat.

MORE ABOUT the Drawing Room

Chest on Stand Chest on Stand
An imposing floral marquetry chest,c.1700, standing on barley-twist legs, with a fall-front writing top, meant to be used whilst standing up.
Category: Furniture

Double Dome Cabinet  Double Dome Cabinet
As seen on BBC’s Flog It. A double dome cabinet, walnut (veneer); oak; pine (carcass); parcel-gilt brass, English, circa 1715
Category: Furniture

Portrait of Mary Palmer Portrait of Mary Palmer
A portrait of the favourite niece of Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Category: Paintings

Stuccowork - 'Friendship' 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