Having been reduced to a mere shell by the fire of 1940, this restoration involves a new ceiling and floorboards – and every element in between!

One of the prominent features of the room is the entablature, the ornate plaster work where the wall joins the ceiling, which consists of three, layered parts - a cornice, a frieze, and an architrave.

The new entablature is based on an Ionic entablature designed by the 16th century Italian Renaissance architect Vignola, who was a strong influence on Vanbrugh’s work. We know from photographs that the cornice in the room before the fire was similar to this Ionic design.

The detailed ornament for the cornice and architrave is based upon Vanbrugh’s examples on the south front of the house. The frieze is a rinceau design of plant forms, inspired by both decoration at the Ara Pacis, an Ancient Roman altar dating from 13 BC, and Vanbrugh’s decoration in the Great Hall.

The entablature is being created by heritage craftspeople using the traditional method of hand run plaster, which is all created on site. While run plasterwork is a more difficult process, it is how cornices would have been formed in the early-eighteenth century and is therefore more authentic and appropriate to the reinstatement of the room.

The final details will be applied to the entablature over the coming months, so do keep your eyes peeled and don’t forget to look up!