The entrance facade with a sentry on duty to protect the Papal legate. From the Jul 2, 1902 edition of "The Tatler."
Detail of the pediment of a door surround from the Great Room, today in the collection of the V&A.
The Music Room reconstructed in the V&A
The Music Room, with two pier glasses, reconstructed in the V&A.
Music Room mirror (pier glass) in the V&A
The Music Room ceiling reconstructed in the V&A
Built / Designed For: 9th Duke of Norfolk
House & Family History: In 1938, after the 16th Duke of Norfolk sold Norfolk House to developers, the London County Council allowed the house to be destroyed, saying it contained "...little work of architectural merit." Before the demolition of the house began architectural elements were removed and sold, including the paneling from the Music Room (one of the earliest examples of a room designed specifically for the performance of music in an English house) and doorways from the Great Room (both purchased by the Victoria & Albert Museum and reassembled as a period room in the museum; see "Images" section). A doorway from the Great Room, designed by Giovanni Battista Borra and executed by Jean-Antoine (John) Cuenot, who did much of the carving at Norfolk House, is today in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; a companion doorway is in the collection of the V&A.
Collections: After 1938 the majority of the contents of Norfolk House were moved to Arundel Castle, the dukes of Norfolk’s country seat.
Garden & Outbuildings: Robert Abraham designed the stables 1819-20.
Architect: James Paine Sr.
Date: 1756-69Architect: Matthew Brettingham the Elder
Date: 1748-56Architect: Giovanni Battista Borra
Date: 1755Architect: Robert Abraham
Date: 1819-20Architect: Unknown (designed by an unknown architect)
Date: 1842
Title: Treasure Houses of Britain, The - SOFTBACK
Author: Jackson-Stops, Gervase (Editor)
Year Published: 1985
Reference: pgs. 336-337
Publisher: Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art (New Haven: Yale University Press)
ISBN: 0300035530
Book Type: Softback
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Reference: pgs. 145, 724
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
Title: V&A Guide to Period Styles: 400 Years of British Art and Design, The
Author: Jackson, Anna; Hinton, Morna
Year Published: 2002
Reference: pg. 57
Publisher: London: V&A Publications
ISBN: 0810965909
Book Type: Hardback
Title: No Voice From the Hall: Early Memories of a Country House Snooper
Author: Harris, John
Year Published: 1998
Publisher: London: John Murray
ISBN: 0719555671
Book Type: Hardback
Title: National Trust: Calke Abbey, Derbyshire: A Hidden House Revealed, The
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1985
Publisher: London: George Philip (Antler Books Ltd)
ISBN: 0540010847
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Demolished
Park Listed: Destroyed
Past Seat / Home of: Edward Howard, 9th Duke of Norfolk, until 1777; Charles Howard, 10th Duke of Norfolk, 1777-86; Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk, 1786-1815; Bernard Edward Howard, 12th Duke of Norfolk, 1815-42; Henry Charles Howard, 13th Duke of Norfolk, 1842-56; Henry Granville Fitzalan-Howard, 14th Duke of Norfolk, 1856-60; Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk, 1860-1917; Bernard Marmaduke Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk, 1917-38.
Current Ownership Type: Demolished
Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No