Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/969

 VILLAS IN VARIOUS STYLES. 1J45 part of the open staircase. Open staircases, Mr. Lamb, the author of this Design, ob- serves, were not generally used until the middle of the reign of Queen Elizabeth ; but the efl'ect of the in- terior of this Design will be very much improved by one. The stairs to the stalls in Henry VII. 's Chapel afford a sufficient precedent, if one be necessary. Previously to the period alluded to, staircases were placed in small towers, and called turnpikes; the steps of which were of stone or solid oak, winding round a large newel, and without any nosing ; the handi-ail was cut out of the material of the wall and flush with it, but in the inferior staircases no handrail was provided. The octagon tower in the elevation, fig. 1646, is a stair- case of the above description from the basement to the upper story ; the large open staircase serving only to ascend from the ground to the rooms on the first floor. Fig. 1650 is an elevation of the hall cliimney-piece and grate. Fig. 1651 shows part of the ceiling of the librai-y. Ceilings, during the time of Henrj' VII. and throughout the whole period when Tudor Architecture prevailed in the houses of the nobility and gentrj- of England, extending to near the middle of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, were generally divided into com- partments, with moulded ribs, and elaborately carved bosses at their junction, the hollow mould- ings frequently charged with va- rious ornaments at certain dis- tances from each other ; or with continued foliage ; the panels were often painted blue, and studded with gold stars, or emblazoned with the family arms. Some of the mouldings and ornaments were gilt, and others painted m rich colours; leaves and e > f flowers were often represented with their natural tmts; ex- pensive modes of decoration, but rich in their eflPects. Fig. 1649 is a plan of the mouldings of the entrance-door jambs. 1910. Bemarks. This De- sign has been contributed by Edward Buckton Lamb, Esq.', the author of several preceding designs, and the reviser of that following. It displays a rich fimd of knowledge of the details of the pointed style of Do- mestic Architecture ; and is, taken altogether, a very original composition. 5 s 1649 s