Chatsworth

The Oak Stairs

This staircase was built by Wyatville in 1823-4 to give access to his new wing, begun in 1818. The dome and lantern were completed in 1829. In 1928 Evelyn Duchess of Devonshire, and the architect W. H. Romaine-Walker attempted to disguise Wyatville's work as that of the time of William and Mary by putting in old doors and adding surrounds and a cornice in the style if the State Rooms. The brown brocade and stipples walls (plaster painted to look like stone) also dates from 1928. The chandelier of stags horns from Windsor Park was originally in the Theatre and was hung here in 1959. The horns were a gift to the 6th Duke from William IV.