FROM BANQUET TO DESSERT
From 'Banquet to Dessert' exhibition now open
Fairfax House celebrates 25 years as a House Museum this year, and its opening exhibition is entitled ‘From Banquet to Dessert’, is a stunning display of sugar art. The centre piece is a 4ft representation of St Paul’s Cathedral (before the fire) made out of sugar paste which has not been seen by the public for 15 years.
The exhibition, which runs until Sunday 30 August 2009, explores how the final part of the meal has changed over time and features some of the hugely expensive novelties made in sugar, made from medieval times to the current day. There is also a display of fine ceramics and exquisite glass which was part of the table and used for the display of wet and dry sweetmeats.
The term banquet came into use in England during the 1530s to differentiate it from the ‘feast’ – a medieval tradition where the family sat in close contact with servants during meal times. It was only the select few who left the table to join the host for the banquet.
The display features a magnificent array of sugar models made by two food historians – Ivan Day and Peter Brears both with world-wide reputations for these stunning re-creations. Loans have come from The Bowes Museum in County Durham, Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and private collections and this is the first time they have been brought together for one exhibition.
Peter Brown, Director of Fairfax House was delighted to open the House this year with such a fascinating show. He commented: “This is an extra-ordinary display of model-making and extravagant use of what was a very expensive material. Some of the models would have done justice to the studios of Bernini or Canova.
"We have developed a reputation for these contextual displays in historical houses and this is one of the best yet. There is a tremendous amount to see and it is such intricate work.”
In particular, the figure of Neptune riding through the waves on his chariot pulled by Hipocamps (sea horses) modelled by York artist Tony Barton. Also the pieces made for the French Royal household with the monogram of Marie Antoinette, plus a model of the young Henry VI (who became King in 1429 ,aged 7), kneeling before the Virgin and Child with the figures of St George and St Denis on each side. We feature a fabulous display of Derby ceramics painted by one of their most famous decorators of the 18th century, William Pegg and added to this, is a spectacular array of 18th century glass used in the dessert from the John Butler collection.
Confectioners’ enjoyed creating elaborate jokes and tricks and the edible sugar novelties include – wine glasses, gloves, playing cards and even a plate of bacon and eggs! They were meant to delight and enthral the guests during the course of the meal and visitors to our display will, no doubt, have the same re-action today.
The exhibition is open at Fairfax House, Castlegate, York on Monday to Thursday and Saturday 11am to 4.30pm and Sunday 1.30pm to 4.30pm. For further about Fairfax House visit www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk
…ENDS…
For further information, please contact:
Press Contacts:
Peter Brown
Tel: 01904 655543
Email: peterbrown@fairfaxhouse.co.uk
or
Melanie Paris
Tel: 01904 647408
E mail: hello@melanieparis.com
The exhibition, which runs until Sunday 30 August 2009, explores how the final part of the meal has changed over time and features some of the hugely expensive novelties made in sugar, made from medieval times to the current day. There is also a display of fine ceramics and exquisite glass which was part of the table and used for the display of wet and dry sweetmeats.
The term banquet came into use in England during the 1530s to differentiate it from the ‘feast’ – a medieval tradition where the family sat in close contact with servants during meal times. It was only the select few who left the table to join the host for the banquet.
The display features a magnificent array of sugar models made by two food historians – Ivan Day and Peter Brears both with world-wide reputations for these stunning re-creations. Loans have come from The Bowes Museum in County Durham, Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and private collections and this is the first time they have been brought together for one exhibition.
Peter Brown, Director of Fairfax House was delighted to open the House this year with such a fascinating show. He commented: “This is an extra-ordinary display of model-making and extravagant use of what was a very expensive material. Some of the models would have done justice to the studios of Bernini or Canova.
"We have developed a reputation for these contextual displays in historical houses and this is one of the best yet. There is a tremendous amount to see and it is such intricate work.”
In particular, the figure of Neptune riding through the waves on his chariot pulled by Hipocamps (sea horses) modelled by York artist Tony Barton. Also the pieces made for the French Royal household with the monogram of Marie Antoinette, plus a model of the young Henry VI (who became King in 1429 ,aged 7), kneeling before the Virgin and Child with the figures of St George and St Denis on each side. We feature a fabulous display of Derby ceramics painted by one of their most famous decorators of the 18th century, William Pegg and added to this, is a spectacular array of 18th century glass used in the dessert from the John Butler collection.
Confectioners’ enjoyed creating elaborate jokes and tricks and the edible sugar novelties include – wine glasses, gloves, playing cards and even a plate of bacon and eggs! They were meant to delight and enthral the guests during the course of the meal and visitors to our display will, no doubt, have the same re-action today.
The exhibition is open at Fairfax House, Castlegate, York on Monday to Thursday and Saturday 11am to 4.30pm and Sunday 1.30pm to 4.30pm. For further about Fairfax House visit www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk
…ENDS…
For further information, please contact:
Press Contacts:
Peter Brown
Tel: 01904 655543
Email: peterbrown@fairfaxhouse.co.uk
or
Melanie Paris
Tel: 01904 647408
E mail: hello@melanieparis.com