Mrs Jane Vigor’s Bust -
Browsholme Hall, near Clitheroe
In 1801 and 1802 Thomas Lister Parker made a Grand Tour of Italy, France and Russia, bought many works of art, collected furniture, and was elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1801. A gentleman of great literary and historical taste, he was a patron of the English artists of his day – including Turner, Romney, Northcote - many of whose paintings are at Browsholme Hall. These include two portraits of Thomas Lister Parker by James Northcote RA, a pupil of Joshua Reynolds. Thomas Lister Parker was also a keen antiquarian, lover of fine furniture, and had an elegant London house where he moved in high society. During his visit to St Petersburg in Russia he acquired two lead busts of Mrs Jane Vigor and her then husband Thomas Ward, Consul General to Russia in 1728. She was a well known author publishing Letters from a Lady in 1775 recounting her time in Russia. It is a marvel how these rare lead busts travelled to Browsholme Hall as their impressive weight demands two people to move them!
Daisy Table -
Leighton Hall, near Carnforth This house of treasures is renowned for its collection of Gillow furniture - a collection that has been passed down the generations since Robert Gillow first founded the famous furniture making firm Gillow and Company of Lancashire in the 18th century. As well as their reputation for being skilled furniture designers and craftsmen, Gillow were also well known for making unusual pieces, which were often one-offs. At Leighton Hall you’ll find an exquisite example of this in the Daisy Table. It is thought it was probably made for gambling purposes because of its design. The table is shaped like a flower with eight leaves or petals which can be folded down, leaving a small octagonal table in its place. It’s believed it particularly suited gambling because if you’d lost all your money on a card game or just wanted to stop playing, you could fold your petal down and leave. Find out more about the Daisy Table, and Leighton Hall’s other treasures, in a House Tour held between May and September.
For more information and details on the venues mentioned go to visitlancashire.com visitlancashire.com
|
#wherelifefeelsgood
|
HERITAGE & CULTURE
| 77