The original of this magnificent table was made at the request of Charles Spencer, 5th Earl of Sunderland for the remodelled Wootton Hall in 1729. The orignal in the Wootton Hall. The striking Palladian hall you first enter incorporates a series of country scenes by the English artist John Wootton (c.

The original of this magnificent table was made at the request of Charles Spencer, 5th Earl of Sunderland for the remodelled Wootton Hall in 1729. The orignal in the Wootton Hall. The striking Palladian hall you first enter incorporates a series of country scenes by the English artist John Wootton (c. 1682-1764)- which lends the hall its name. Wootton's fame rests as the specialist English sporting painter of his day. Among other commissions, he executed similar designs for the Great Hall at Longleat. He would not have painted in situ, but in a studio in London, having taken measurements of the spaces that needed to be filled. They were painted as part of scheme ordered by the Fifth Earl of Sunderland, who, like his brother and heir at Althorp, was a passionate fox-hunter. The life size studies of the Earl's favourite mounts face the visitor on entering. The canvases running the length of sides, show Lord Spencer and his friends riding with the Althorp and Pytchley hounds with the riders individuals identified. The ruins of nearby Holdenby catsle, the core of which still survives today, further identify the scenes. The detail of hall's construction are not fully recorded, but it is probably by Colin Campbell, through he died in 1729 before the work was undertaken. Roger Morris completed the commission in 1733. For many tastes the hall's proportions make it the most satisfying room in the house, with a cool dignity, appropriately lit. Pevsner calls it 'the noblest Georgian room in the county'. The airiness comes from the high ceiling which rises almost to the height of the house. Its deeply coffered coving bears an octagonal design, with eagles on the corner buttresses. Beneath there is a frieze alternating plaster fox heads with hounds.

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  Artistry

  Crushed eggshell inlay, hand-tooling with gold leaf; hand-painting with fine art techniques, the ancient art of gilding and our Argento technique involving canvas wrapping, gilding and painting are just a few of the techniques used to create the authentic finishes on our furnishings. Using traditional tools and techniques handed down through the ages imbue each piece with an air of authenticity and individuality.

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  Veneer

  With over 50 types of veneer used on our product, we select each piece for figure and colour and exclusively hand cut each piece to create our beautiful surfaces, each a uniquely created work of art.

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  Wood

  Our craftsmen select wood based on beauty, colour and suitability to each individual piece. We still use traditional furniture making, wood working techniques and materials to ensure enduring quality in every one of our products.

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