Interior. Detail of marble fireplace and overmantle by Meachi in the drawing room. Digital image of C 54058 CN.
SC 772450
Description Interior. Detail of marble fireplace and overmantle by Meachi in the drawing room. Digital image of C 54058 CN.
Date 5/1995
Catalogue Number SC 772450
Category On-line Digital Images
Copy of C 54058 CN
Scope and Content North fireplace in drawing room, Newbattle Abbey House, Midlothian This shows a white marble fireplace with Ionic columns and a built-in marble fender around the hearth. The overmantel painting in its rich gilded frame depicts the founding of Newbattle Abbey, and was painted in the 19th century by the artist Meachi. The central image is flanked by relief carvings of supporters holding the Kerr shield. This overmantel refers back to the ancient history of the site, and in doing so suggests the owner's respect for and pride in the past. The deliberately medieval style of painting and the rich colours suggest a golden and idealised age. Newbattle Abbey was founded by Cistercian monks in 1140, and its church dedicated to St Mary in 1233-4. It became a private residence in 1587 when the last abbot, Mark Kerr, converted to Protestantism and was able to retain his lands. His son became Lord Newbattle in 1596. The remains of the abbey are built into the surviving house, which was modified and rebuilt by the architects John Mylne (1650), William Burn (1836) and David Bryce (1858). The house was gifted to the nation in 1937 to be used as a further education college. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.
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