Heritage > Historic Houses
Chatsworth
The West Corridor
On the left as you enter the corridor is an Egyptian stele, or memorial tablet, of the 11th dynasty (2040-1991 B.C.) and on the right is another, smaller one of the same period. The mutilated marble torso is from the Holy Land and dates from the 12th century, a rare example from the 'Crusader' period. The stalactites under the table of Derbyshire fossil-limestone are from Castleton, 14 miles away.
Across the courtyard you get the best view of the trophies carved in stone by Watson and the passages designed by Wyatville which were added on the other three sides in the 9th century. Samuel Watson from Heanor, Derbyshire, came to Chatsworth in 1689 and worked here, in wood and stone, almost continuously, until his death in 1715.
The 1st Dukes fountain in the courtyard was restored to use in 1973 after having been a flower bed for many years. It originally had a statue of Arion which is now in front of the 1st Dukes Greenhouse in the garden.
|
