Deco donation

Image: National Trust

Elaine Ward, the house and collections manager for Coleton Fishacre, saw my previous post about the Art Deco interiors there, and she has now sent me these images.

Image: National Trust

They show some of a group of Art Deco artefacts from the collection of James Bellchambers. The pieces were purchased from the antiques trade in Totnes, Devon, during the last ten years or so.

Image: National Trust

Mr Bellchambers is a furniture conservator who has worked on National Trust projects throughout south-west England. He was involved with opening Coleton Fishacre to the public and has previously lent items for display there.

Image: National Trust

He has now very generously decided to donate these pieces to Coleton Fishacre.

Image: National Trust

Some of the objects may go on display quite soon. It is being investigated whether further areas of the house can be opened up to the public, and some more of these objects will be shown when that has been achieved.

Image: National Trust

Curzon Street baroque

 

The upstairs corridor at Coleton Fishacre. ©NTPL/Dennis Gilbert

Design writer Emily Evans Eerdmans recently gave a talk at the Royal Oak Foundation, the American friends of the National Trust, on the subject of English Art Deco. That prompts me to show a few images of Coleton Fishacre, in Devon, which is a fascinating Art Deco showcase.

Adding a few tassels, for that baroque touch. ©NTPL/John Hammond

Coleton Fishacre was built for Rupert D’Oyly Carte by Oswald Milne in 1923-6. Richard D’Oyly Carte had been the impresario behind the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan, and his son Rupert went on to to develop the family business empire, which also included the Savoy Hotel and Claridge’s in London.

The Library. ©NTPL/Dennis Gilbert

Coleton Fishacre was acquired by the National Trust in 1982 as part of the Neptune Coastline Campaign, in order to safeguard this beautiful stretch of Devon coastline. The lush garden was immediately shown to the public, and more recently the house has also been opened up. 

Detail from a rug by Marion Dorn in the Saloon. ©NTPL/John Hammond

Much of the original furnishings had gone, however. When the contents of a historical house (even one as recent as Coleton) are missing, the National Trust has to take the decision as to whether to leave it as is, and just show it for the architecture and perhaps let the house, or to attempt a recreation. 

'Les Arums', a printed linen designed by Raoul Dufy in 1919 and used in Lady Dorothy's bedroom. ©NTPL/Dennis Gilbert

In this case there were old photographs available to show what the rooms looked like in the twenties and thirties. National Trust curators have been acquiring similar pieces in order to restore the original look. 

The dining room. ©NTPL/Dennis Gilbert

This particular type of between-the-wars interior, in which antiques are mixed with modern pieces, is sometimes known as ‘Curzon Street baroque’, after the exclusive London street where such interiors were often seen.