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Charles Wild (1781-1835)

Carlton House: The Throne Room c. 1818

Watercolour with touches of bodycolour and gum arabic over pencil | 20.1 x 25.2 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 922178

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  • The Throne Room was the largest of the seven south-facing rooms on the first floor of the house and was used by George IV as his principal drawing room from the 1780s until 1811. Unlike that in most of the rooms in Carlton House, where change was always in the air, the decoration and arrangement of the Throne Room changed relatively little over time. The architectural framework of the room survived more or less intact, including Henry Holland's delicate neo-classical ceiling and the rhythmic arrangement of richly carved and gilded Corinthian pilasters, dating from 1788-92. From the same period came two richly mounted French chimneypieces at either end of the room. These were probably imported by Dominique Daguerre, then working with Holland on the interior decorations. In Wild's view, the chimneypiece at the far (west) end of the room is concealed behind the crimson velvet of the throne canopy, moved here from the old Throne Room at the inauguration of the Regency in 1811. At this point the Great Drawing Room was officially renamed the Throne Room. In 1813 the original blue velvet chair covers and hangings were changed to crimson, an alteration which coincided with the installation of the pair of council chairs. However, the Moorfields carpet, dating from 1792 and woven to a design suggested by George IV, survived in situ, as did the set of eight giltwood pedestals supporting gilt bronze candelabra which were supplied under Daguerre's direction in 1794.

    Catalogue entry from Royal Treasures, A Golden Jubilee Celebration, London 2002
    Provenance

    Acquired by George IV

  • Medium and techniques

    Watercolour with touches of bodycolour and gum arabic over pencil

    Measurements

    20.1 x 25.2 cm (sheet of paper)

  • Other number(s)
    Alternative title(s)

    The Throne Room, Carlton House.


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