The Needle Room

This tower room, said to be a copy of a room at Versailles, was decorated by Duchess May in the style of Louis XVI. It is displayed as it would be seen at night with the silk damask curtains drawn. The furniture is French and was part of the collection of fine objects brought by her to Floors. The gilt suite of Louis XVI design is covered with floral tapestry. Other important pieces are the Louis XVI black and gold lacquered pedestal escritoire stamped J. F. Lelu M. E., the French mahogany tulipwood and parquetry cartonnier and the Louis XV tulipwood kneehole dressing table.

The modem post-impressionist paintings were bought by Duchess May and include Gorbeille de Fleurs by Henri Matisse which was painted in 1906 during his Fauve period when he used only primary colours. Paysage also by Matisse circa 1918 and shows a figure seated in the foreground of a landscape in southern France. The river scene with a yacht and barge is by Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) whose work is known for its intensity of light and colour. Also of the French school is a nude by Odilon Redon (1840-1916). The painting of a bowl of primulas and the panel showing Dorelia and her son near Swanage are two works by Augustus John. The still life with flowers in a jug is by another distinguished English painter Sir Matthew Smith.