|
Mrs Lidderdale's bequest comprises ten major collections of which
the largest is porcelain, numbering 364 items. Although the collection
consists mainly of English porcelain, it includes fine examples
of Chinese export porcelain such as the bowl designed in famille
verte enamels and pair of Quinlong jars (1736 - 1795) exhibited
on the chimney-piece in the drawing room. English porcelain is represented
by Spode, Rockingham and Worcester tea-sets, together with a number
of Minton, Wedgwood and Derby dinner and dessert services. A wide
selection of English porcelain has been carefully incorporated in
the period settings created at Bertram House and bears witness to
Mrs Lidderdale's taste as a collector.
The superb collection of English furniture forming part of her bequest
comprises a total of 58 Georgian pieces. English furniture of an
earlier date is represented by the Queen Anne (1702 - 1714) bureau
bookcase placed in the morning room and the William and Mary (1679
- 1702) fall front secretaire with walnut marquetry displayed in
the library.
The twelve oriental carpets in the textile collection provide part
of the floor covering in the eight formal period rooms at Bertram
House. Most of the collection of books concerned with English history
and literature line the shelves in the library; the rest can be
seen in the drawing and morning rooms. An elegant pair of candlesticks
from the brassware collection enhance the chimney-piece in the morning
room and a set of Georgian wine glasses can be admired in the dining
room.
Three rooms on the first floor of Bertram House are used for informal
displays, each room being devoted to a particular collection illustrating
aspects of 18th and 19th century life. One room has a selection
of English silver on exhibition. A silver cream jug made by Augustin
le Sage, London, 1781, together with a tea set made by John Round
and Son, Sheffield, 1886, augment a display on the serving of tea.
The second exhibition room has personal accessories and jewellery
of the 19th century as its theme. Objects range from a dainty silver
vinaigrette made in London in 1790 to a silver christening mug made
in the same city in 1876. Over 30 items of Victorian jewellery comprising
brooches, bracelets, pendants and ring inherited, given and worn
by Mrs Lidderdale, can be seen. A locket of blue enamel, set with
garnet and diamonds containing a photograph of Mrs Lidderdale's
father, Charles Neuman Thomas, on the reverse side, and her own
gold wedding ring have a particularly personal appeal.
Pastimes practised by ladies of the house during the Georgian period
is the subject of the third room where examples of the equipment
connected with the feminine arts of needlework and letter writing
record the accomplishments admired in that era.
|
