Fairfax House Blog

The secret history of Kensington Palace

Posted on 4 April 2013 by Fairfax House

Servant, Mistress, Scoundrel and Princess: The Secret History of Kensington Palace, with Nigel Arch

Kensington Palace, a royal home for over three centuries, reopened in March 2012 after a £12 million transformation with a new garden, cafe, and exhibitions. But behind the headlines are the untold stories of the colourful personalities who lived there, of servants, mistresses, a scoundrel and an artistic but misunderstood princess … Nigel Arch, formerly Director of Kensington Palace, unlocks the secret stories of this celebrated but surprisingly little-known royal residence.

Servant, Mistress, Scoundrel and Princess: The Secret History of Kensington Palace, with Nigel Arch: Thursday 11 April 2013, 7.00pm, at Fairfax House, York.

Tickets: £14.00 or £12.00 for York Civic Trust Members and Friends of Fairfax House. Includes glass of wine or soft drink. To book: telephone 01904 655543, e-mail info@fairfaxhouse.co.uk, or in person.

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Tick, tock: the Etherington Clock

Posted on 8 March 2013 by Fairfax House

Join David Barker, clocks expert and conservator, on 21 March 2013 at 5.30pm as he unveils and talks about the latest addition to the unrivalled clock collection at Fairfax House, the George Etherington Clock. This very impressive longcase clock with superbly intricate arabesque parquetry was recently gifted to Fairfax House from the estate of Lord and Lady Sandford.

George Etherington was a noted London clockmaker who became a freeman of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1684 and a master in 1709. He died in 1729.

David Barker’s introductory talk will also feature a unique opportunity to see in detail another clock from the Fairfax House collection as it is dismantled and packed for conservation.

Clocks expert and conservator David Barker introduces the George Etherington Clock: Thursday 21 March 2013 at Fairfax House, York.

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Probing the plasterwork at Fairfax House

Posted on 22 February 2013 by Fairfax House

Fairfax House is noted for its superb decorative interior plasterwork, dating from the rebuilding of the house for Viscount Fairfax and his daughter in the 1760s. This plasterwork is currently the subject of detailed study, and we are very fortunate to be able to welcome Jenny Saunt, a leading scholar of Georgian plasterwork and a practising plasterworker herself, to Fairfax House on 7 March 2013 when she will be giving a talk devoted to the plasterwork: its history, its creation, its meaning and significance.

In her lecture, ‘Plasterwork and Possibility’ Jenny Saunt will be taking a fresh look at the stunning plasterwork interiors of Fairfax House. Many craftsmen contributed to the creation of this fashionable Georgian townhouse, leaving records through which some of their work can be traced. Fairfax House’s decorative plasterwork, however, is not so well documented, leaving the intentions of its creators and the process of its creation largely unknown. Detailed research is now prompting a reconsideration of the plasterwork, enabling a new look at this triumph of Georgian decorative art.

‘Plasterwork and Possibility’, a lecture by Jenny Saunt (Courtauld Institute): Thursday 7 March 2013 at Fairfax House, York.

Posted in architectural features, events, stucco decoration, talks and lectures | Leave a comment

Crowning Glory: ‘a spectacular display of all things that glisten’

Posted on 19 February 2013 by Fairfax House

It’s very nice to see a lovely review of our new exhibition ‘Crowning Glory’ in The Yorker, an independent student publication based at the University of York.

… do not be led to believe this is simply a show of ‘pretty’ jewellery; Crowning Glory may be small exhibition at first glance, but the wealth on show certainly makes up for it in sparkle. Flaunting Yorkshire’s best coronets, tiaras, peals, diamonds and royal robes from regal aristocracy, this exhibition does more than show off its best looking collection.

Thanks to reviewer Pippa Holman and to The Yorker for this detailed review, which is both positive and perceptive! To find out more about the exhibition itself, click here to visit the appropriate page on the Fairfax House website.

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The incredible story of the diamond, from the mine to the finger

Posted on 11 February 2013 by Fairfax House

‘From the mine to the finger: the extraordinary story of the diamond’ is a lecture being given by Raymond Sandcroft-Baker of Christie’s Jewellery Department at Fairfax House on Thursday 21 February 2013 at 7.00pm. In this lecture, part of a programme of jewellery-themed events to complement our dazzling exhibition ‘Crowning Glory’, Raymond Sancroft-Baker explores the formation of diamonds, the effects of the properties of colour and clarity on their value, and the processes that bring a diamond from the mine to the finger. He will also look at some famous diamonds sold by Christie’s including the recently auctioned Elizabeth Taylor collection. Raymond Sancroft-Baker joined Christies in 1969, becoming Director of Jewellery in 1988, responsible for organising sales in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Geneva and London.

‘From the mine to the finger: the extraordinary story of diamonds’, a lecture by Raymond Sancroft-Baker of Christie’s Jewellery Department: Thursday 21 February 2013 at Fairfax House, York.

Posted in Christie's, events, talks and lectures, what's on | 1 Comment

Crowning Glory: a spectacular exhibition

Posted on 8 February 2013 by Fairfax House

As part of the celebrations for its 250th anniversary year, Fairfax House presents ‘Crowning Glory’, a spectacular exhibition which draws together a glittering display of tiaras, coronets and jewellery to celebrate the great beauty, visual splendour and colourful pasts of Yorkshire’s historic jewels and treasures. Passed from generation to generation, these jewels chart the long-established families whose history is intertwined with this county, the events connected with them and the succession of individuals who have worn and cherished these heirlooms. The exhibition includes a complete replica set of the Crown Jewels, spectacular tiaras, extraordinary necklaces, brooches and other jewellery in gold and silver, sparkling with precious stones, along with peers’ coronets and robes.

There is no extra charge to view this exhibition. Entry to ‘Crowning Glory’ is included in the normal Fairfax House admission price. Please note that photography is not permitted in the exhibition space, or in any other part of the house.

For more information: telephone 01904 655543, e-mail info@fairfaxhouse.co.uk, or call in to Fairfax House.

Posted in costume and fashion, Crowning Glory, events, exhibitions | Comments Off

Free York Residents Weekend, 5-6 May 2012

Posted on 1 May 2012 by Fairfax House

Free admission to Fairfax House for York residents during 5-6 May 2012

Views of Fairfax House

Residents of York can visit Fairfax House for FREE during the weekend of 5-6 May 2012! This is because Fairfax House was closed in January during the York Residents Festival, when attractions throughout York are free to residents. All you need is your valid YorkCard, and you can enter and look around the house (including the wonderful York Civic Trust exhibition Views of York: Portrait of a City 1610 to the Present Day) without paying the normal admissions charge.

For more information and visit the Fairfax House website, contact Fairfax House on 01904 655543 or call in during House opening hours.

Posted in what's on, York Residents Festival | Tagged free admission | Comments Off

Lecture: the Romantic artists and the Yorkshire landscape

Posted on 4 April 2012 by Fairfax House

Thomas Girtin, 'Kirkstall Abbey, Yorkshire' (c. 1801) ‘Rough-Hewn Matter and the Romantics in Yorkshire’: a lecture by Professor David Hill

On 25 April 2012 at 7:00 pm Professor David Hill will be giving an illustrated talk at Fairfax House about the landscape of Yorkshire and the North of England in the paintings of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Romantic artists. This lecture is being given as part of the programme of events organized to complement the York Civic Trust exhibition Views of York: Portrait of a City, 1610 to the present day, currently on display at Fairfax House.

‘Rough Hewn Matter’ was the Rev William Gilpin’s view of the landscape of the North of England. He seems to have thought it rather in need of grooming. Undeterred, a generation of artists including Thomas Girtin, J. M. W. Turner, John Sell Cotman and others made the northern landscape one of their core subjects during the late eighteenth century and the early nineteenth century. In this talk Professor David Hill will follow in their footsteps and explore the role played by the landscape of the North in their artistic careers.

Tickets: £18.00 (York Civic Trust members and Friends of Fairfax House £12.00), includes glass of wine. For more information about this event, and all the many events and activities taking place at Fairfax House, visit our website, contact the house on 01904 655543, or call in during opening hours.

Posted in Georgian culture, talks and lectures, Views of York exhibition, what's on | Comments Off

Terry and the Chocolate Orange: tasty chocolate fun at Fairfax House

Posted on 30 March 2012 by Fairfax House

Terry and the Chocolate Orange – Thursday 5 and Saturday 7 April 2012 – with Jenna Drury of Mud Pie Arts.

A tasty chocolate treat for all the family is coming up on Thursday 5 and Saturday 7 April at Fairfax House. Come and join us for Terry and the Chocolate Orange, the story of chocolate and the Terry family in York. Find out how chocolate became popular in the eighteenth century and how chocolate is made, from rainforest to factory. Bring your imagination to create your very own chocolate machine! Rich hot chocolate will be served to all chocolate workers! With Jenna Drury of Mud Pie Arts, York.

This drama and storytelling event takes place on 5 and 7 April 2012, beginning at 4:00 pm on both days, at Fairfax House. A Family Ticket (two adults and two children) costs £17.00, individual Adult tickets are £8.00 and individual Child tickets are £5.00. For more information and booking visit the Fairfax House website, contact Fairfax House on 01904 655543 or call in during House opening hours.

Posted in childrens events, family events, food and drink events, what's on | Comments Off

Views of York: exhibition news

Posted on 25 March 2012 by Fairfax House

'All Saints Church, Pavement, York', engraving by Frederick Abraham, after William Walton (1836)

The York Civic Trust exhibition Views of York: Portrait of a City, 1610 to the present day opens at Fairfax House on 1 April 2012 and runs until 31 August 2012. To find out more about the exhibition visit our Views of York page or the exhibition page at the York Civic Trust website. Meanwhile, as a taster for the exhibition, follow the links below to two articles from the York Press:

Vintage views of York – York Press, 7 March 2012
Views of York, Fairfax House, April 1 to August 31 – York Press, 19 March 2012