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Eagle ornament from the staircase at Carlton House
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Eagle ornament from the staircase at Carlton House
Plaster
Museum number: M431
On display: Basement West Corridor
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
This plaster eagle is a pair with M440; see also the further pair of variant eagle ornaments, also from Carlton House, M258 and M282.
Carlton House was the London palace of the Prince Regent, later King George IV, demolished in 1825. Soane acquired not only the four eagles already mentioned but also a vase from the portico which today sits on the parapet of the Monument Court.
Carlton House was the London palace of the Prince Regent, later King George IV, demolished in 1825. Soane acquired not only the four eagles already mentioned but also a vase from the portico which today sits on the parapet of the Monument Court.
Provenance
Soane records in his 1835 Description that the two pairs of plaster eagle ornaments M258, M282 and M431 and M440, 'formerly made part of the architectural decorations of Carlton House, and were preserved when that superb structure, with the noble portico in front, and one of the most classical vestibules in Europe, leading into a highly decorated staircase, and suite of magnificent apartments, were demolished'.
Literature
Sir J. Soane, Description, 1835, p.31
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk