Harewood's log fires were lit and the rooms felt cosy, despite their grandeur. Christmas is perhaps the time when many of us would like slightly bigger spaces to decorate. I can't even fit a proper tree into my tiny sitting room, so I'm hoping my new apartment with its larger lounge will have enough space for one.
I know there'll be no room for a rocking horse, though ever since I was tiny I've had a secret yearning for one! The wooden painted horse that had just been 'unwrapped' in Harewood's library was absolutely beautiful.
The Cinnamon Drawing Room holds some fabulous portraits, though it was a little hard to see past the references to Christmas board games that decorated the room. I don't remember one called 'Easy Money' to be honest.
In the Gallery, which is the most fabulous, huge room with rich red wallpaper and an absolutely stunning Adam ceiling (see HERE), the fireplace was prettily decked with swags of baubles and somehow that did highlight the famous El Greco painting: 'An Allegory'.
The children may have had grand presents like that beautiful rocking horse, but did they get enough time and cuddles from their parents? Best not to ask where all the money came from either.
ReplyDeleteI imagine they were shipped off to boarding school. And the Lascelles family money came from the slave trade in the 1700s - but to be fair they are very upfront about that and nowadays involved in many initiatives that both acknowledge the damage of that legacy and strive to improve things today.
Deletehttps://harewood.org/about/diversity-commitment-and-links-to-enslavement/
“I believe very strongly that we can change things in the present, but for better or for worse there is nothing that any of us can do about history and the past.” David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood.
Love that rocking horse.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun opulence to enjoy! That's a different version of a rocking horse, which might have had just rockers under its legs. With springs attached, the horse you show would have galloped along in a much more "horse-like-gait." So much of the wealth of today was made on the backs of others. Add to that the corruption that businessmen have always used to have the bigger/better/bank account. Then the same men (and today women) would go home and provide wonderful gifts for their children from their "ill-gotten-gains."
ReplyDeleteSuch a marvelous place!
ReplyDelete