Built / Designed For: Sir George Treby I, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas

House & Family History: After it ceased being a family home, Plympton House became an asylum, then a convent (St. Peters), and, finally, a residential care home. In 2016 a plan was announced to redevelop the house and estate into 14 homes.

Collections: "Mars, Venus and Cupid with Vulcan at his Forge" (The Mantuan Roundel), a circa 1500 bronze, gold, and silver roundel attributed to Gian Marco Cavalli (see "Images" section) was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in February of 2022. Cavalli was a Italian Renaissance goldsmith, sculptor, and print engraver who worked with Andrea Mantegna for the Gonzagas in Mantua. The roundel, which depicts Mars staring at Venus while Vulcan (Venus's husband) finishes making a helmet, was probably made for Isabella d’Este, wife of Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua. The Latin inscription reads “Venus Mars and Love rejoice. Vulcan, you labor!” The Met paid $23 million for the roundel, which made it the second most expensive purchase in the museum's history. The Met's director, Max Hollein, described the roundel as "an absolute masterpiece, standing apart for its historical significance, artistic virtuosity, and unique composition." Considered one of the most technically sophisticated examples of a bronze roundel from the early Renaissance, the piece was very likely acquired by George Treby III in 1746 during his Grand Tour, when he visited Rome, Florence, and Naples. In 2003 roundel was sold for £7 million by Treby's descendants to Sheikh Saud al-Thani, a Qatari prince, in an auction at Christie's. The prince lent the bronze to the V&A from 2010 until 2012; some years after his death in 2014 the work was sold to an an anonymous buyer, who later placed it for sale with the Daniel Katz Gallery in London, from whom the Met purchased the piece.

Country Life: LXXIV, 146, 1943.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade II

Past Seat / Home of: Sir George Treby I, until 1700; George Treby II, 1700-42; George Treby III, 1742-61.

Current Ownership Type: Corporation

Primary Current Ownership Use: Flats / Multi Family

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No