Another in a series excerpted from my talk at the Beau Monde Conference in New York City on July 23, 2019, brings us to Spencer House. This is part of the talk I did not deliver due to time constraints.
Spencer House by Thomas Malton, 1800. Façade overlooking Green Park. Spencer House was built in 1756 by John, first Earl Spencer, great grandson of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough and grandson of the third Earl of Sunderland. He inherited fortunes from both of them before he came of age.
Above, Spencer House today. In 1755 the 1st Earl Spencer married his childhood sweetheart, Georgiana Poyntz, age 18, at Althrop, upstairs in a secret ceremony during a ball for 50 guests. The Spencer family was one of the great wealthy Whig families of the 18th century. Based on their fortunes in wool and their service to the crown, they entered the peerage at the time of Charles I. Althrop was, and is, the Spencer country estate, famous as the 1997 burial place of Diana, Princess of Wales, daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer,
Entrance is 27, St. James Place. John Vardy (1718-1765), a pupil of William Kent, designed Spencer House and later, it was also worked on by James 'Athenian' Stuart (1713-1788). It is an excellent example of the classical style and was highly praised upon its completion.
Above left, the Ante-Room; Right, the Morning Room.
The first earl died in 1783 and was succeeded by his son, a member of the Whig inner circle around Charles James Fox and the Prince of Wales. The 2nd Earl's sister was Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. The Great Room, below, with a ceiling of green and gold was intended for receptions and balls.
The first earl died in 1783 and was succeeded by his son, a member of the Whig inner circle around Charles James Fox and the Prince of Wales. The 2nd Earl's sister was Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. The Great Room, below, with a ceiling of green and gold was intended for receptions and balls.
During WW II, many fixtures were removed to Althrop. After the war, it was taken over by a series of businesses and now is leased by the RIT Capital Partners, under the chairmanship of Lord Rothschild.
The fantastical architecture of The Palm Room, below, with carved and gilded palm trees is based on John Webb’s design for the King’s Bedchamber at Greenwich Palace. The palm trees were a symbol of marital fertility. The frieze of griffins and candelabra is derived from a Roman Temple.
The fantastical architecture of The Palm Room, below, with carved and gilded palm trees is based on John Webb’s design for the King’s Bedchamber at Greenwich Palace. The palm trees were a symbol of marital fertility. The frieze of griffins and candelabra is derived from a Roman Temple.
Below, Lady Spencer’s Drawing Room was the ladies withdrawing room for escape from the men’s cigars and port. The ceiling is based on a ceiling in the Baths of Augustus in Rome, by Stuart.
Below. two final rooms of elegance and refinement. Left, the Dining Room. Right, the Painted Room, primarily the work of James 'Athenian' Stuart, completed in 1765.
Spencer House is open to the public on most Sundays, usually by pre-arranged tours. Don't miss it on your next London jaunt.
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