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  • image SM 71/2/46

Reference number

SM 71/2/46

Purpose

Design for the Scala Regia, 27 August 1822

Aspect

Section thro the Centre

Scale

bar scale of 1/2 inch to 1 foot

Inscribed

as above, labelled: Design for Scala Regia, House of Lords, D (twice), Recess (twice), Wall / finished (twice), Part of / Cornice (twice), Full Size and dimensions given

Signed and dated

  • 27 August 1822
    27th August 1822 and (in Soane's hand) 26 Aug 1822

Medium and dimensions

Pen, pink, sepia and burnt Sienna washes, pricked for transfer on wove paper (530 x 364)

Hand

Soane Office

Watermark

Smith & Allnutt 1817

Notes

This section looking east through the Scala Regia (towards the Prince's Chamber) shows the Ionic columns on either side of the staircase and the two columns at the top of the stairs. The central bay of the Scala Regia rises to a scalloped shallow dome with a lantern above. In a previous design (SM 71/2/44) the dome sat above a clerestory that is not present in this design. Some of the ornamentation of the upper part of this bay is shown, including winged figures and caduceii (winged staffs) in the pendentives, acanthus leaves, Vitruvian scroll, inverted antefixes and a large rosette in the centre of the lantern. At the summit of the Scala Regia above the Ionic screen is a roundel framed by a shield-shaped festoon with ribbons. The roundel appears to be a copy of one from the Arch of Constantine showing Sol or Dawn, which was also used to decorate the Bank of England, the National Debt Redemption Office and Pitzhanger Manor. Several copies of various sizes survive at Sir John Soane's Museum.

Level

Drawing

Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation

If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk