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To the west of the hall is the double drawing room.
In England during the 18th century it was a richly decorated room,
arranged in a formal manner and used for entertaining
By the 1750s festoon curtains were popular, comprised
of one piece of fabric drawn vertically in swags. Later in the 1780s
French curtains were introduced, consisting of a pair of curtains
drawn horizontally on two rods, sometimes having a pelmet or curtain
cornice using brass or wooden rings.
Lighting was provided by cut-glass chandeliers fitted with candles.
Beeswax or tallow candles were very expensive and the wicks required
constant trimming. Candle stubs were a servant’s "perks".
Wall sconces were often fixed in front of mirrors in order to reflect
more light about the room. Silver candelabra and candlesticks became
important status symbols and Sheffield Plate was used after its
introduction in the 1760s.
At Bertram House it was decided that the principal rooms on the
ground floor; the double drawing room and dining room, should be
hung with wallpaper in order to enhance the decoration of the rooms
and impress the visitors as would have been the original intention
created by owners of that era.
The square piano made by Clementi and Co. dates from about 1906.
It was restored in 1993 and is regularly used for chamber music
events throughout the summer months.
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