Chatsworth

State Dining Room

The largest of the second floor State Rooms, and unchanged since the 1st Duke's time when it was called 'The Great Chamber'. The ceiling was painted in 1691-2 by Verrio (1639-1707), and was restored 1988-90 by Pauline Plummer and her team. One of the three Fates, Atropos cutting the thread of life with her 'adhorred shears' is a portait of Mrs. Hackett, the 1st Duke's housekeeper, whom Verrio disliked. The mirror in line with the communicating doors, and the same size, was made to double the appaarent length of these rooms as seen reflected from the far end.

The gilt side table were designed by William Kent, probably for Lord Burlington, father-in-law of the 4th Duke. Thefish, game-birds, fruit, flowers, foliage and draperies were carved (1692-4) by Samuel Watson, and by Lobb, Young and Davis, the team of carvers from London engaged by the 1st Duke. The window frames of this and the succeding State Rooms were made in 1954 to match the originals which survive on the West Frount, replacing plate glass ordered by the 6th Duke in 1826. The panes have bevelled edges and the frames are of oak from the park. The pastel portrait by George Knapton (1698-1778) is of Charlotte Boyle, Lord Burlington's daughter and heiress, who married the Marquess of Hartington, later 4th Duke of Devonshire.