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Interior. View of Oak Room fireplace.

B 50485

Description Interior. View of Oak Room fireplace.

Date 1890

Collection Reverend W Fergus Harris

Catalogue Number B 50485

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 769822

Scope and Content Oak Room fireplace, Arniston House, Midlothian This shows the Oak Room fireplace in c.1890. The carved oak Corinthian columns probably date back to the time of the old house, but the fireplace itself dates from the time of William Adam, and features carved 'herms' (male busts on column bases) and a coat of arms. Above the fireplace are family portraits, a row of vases are arranged symmetrically on the mantelpiece, and a brass fender supported by griffins protects the carpet in front of the fire. A long chain hanging by the side of the fireplace (left) is a bell-pull to summon servants to this room, which was used as a parlour (a sitting room which would also be used for entertaining). The bell-pull was connected to an indicator board in the servants' basement area, which told the maids or footmen which room was calling for attention. Arniston House, the seat of the Dundas family, was built in the Palladian style from 1726 onwards by architect William Adam (1689-1748) on the site of a c.1600 U-plan tower-house. His son John (1721-92) added the west wing and orangery in 1753. The house was further altered during the 19th century, and comprises a central three-storeyed block with flanking two-storeyed service pavilions joined to the main building by two-storeyed links. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/769820

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