Heritage > Historic Houses
Chatsworth
The West Stairs
The doorways on all three floors were originally windows giving directly onto the court, providing more light than there is now. They lead to corridors which, like the Sketch Galleries, were added by the 6th Duke to make it easier to move round the house.
The wrought iron panels on the landing are by Jean Tijou and incorporate the initials C and D (Cavendish, Devonshire) with ducal coronets. They were originally made for the Great Stairs but were later incorporated into the balustrade, which was made by the local smith John Gardom in 1702.
At the top of the stairs is the English Club-House at Florence by Thomas Patch (1725-82). The painting over the door on the first floor is An Allegory of Peace by Simon Vouet (1590-1649), which was probably painted for Anne of Austria, Queen of Louis XIII of France. Her arms appear on the sheild to the right.
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