Output details

Farringford House, Freshwater, Isle of Wight: analysis of decorative finishes & wallpapers, selected interiors, focusing on Alfred Lord Tennyson's period of occupancy (1856-1892) [architectural paint research]

Context:

This research examined the decorative scheme of the residence of Alfred Lord Tennyson

The research resides in the following processes: -

Site visits and sampling allowed researchers to use knowledge of historic interiors to select appropriate places from which to take paint samples (main report p. 2)

Microscopic analysis revealed patterns in the paint stratigraphy allowing individual paints to be identified (i.e. main report p. 10, 11, 16, 18)

Further site analysis allowed researchers to build up an understanding of the sequence of historic wallpapers and surface finishes (main report p. 21, 23, 24 43,)

Collation of the paint sample analysis in tabular form to allows analysis of the decorative scheme as a whole. (i.e. main report p. 14).

Insights included: -

• The Reception Room scheme of 1856, including a wallpaper frieze depicting the Elgin Marbles, marks the purchase of the house by the Tennyson family. (main report p. 8-13)

• Four wallpapers were sent for additional analysis and contextualised within the APR and the decorative scheme as a whole (main report p. 20, 24, 25, 26)

• APR of the Stair Hall and Main Stair areas shows the Tennyson family revised the decorative scheme of this area when they bought the house in 1856. (main report p. 28-29)

• 'Scheme 8' in the study shows the room was converted from a bedroom into Tennyson's study. (main report p. 42-5)

Sharing:

The research was commissioned by owner of Farringford House and shared in a series of documents and a report that, together with ongoing consultancy, is being used to decide upon the reaction of the interiors.

Contribution:

Ian Crick-Smith was principal investigator for historical and architectural research, paint techniques and sampling strategy. He was co-author of the reports and co-researcher for paint stratigraphy and interpretation of research findings.