The Music Room

There are six colossal porcelain Chinese towers, or pagodas, in this room. They were among the most expensive, rare and luxurious items you could buy in Regency England. They were probably made for George in China in the early 19th century. The larger pagodas cost about £100 each. George then spent over £2,000 to embellish them.

The pagodas are decorated with gilded bells, dolphins and dogs, and topped with snake-entwined arrowheads and winged dragons. In the Western imagination pagodas were among the most recognisable symbols of the exotic East. In Europe they were associated with ideas of leisure and pleasure. They are perfect for this room which was used by George for music and entertainment.