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  • image SM 71/2/71

Reference number

SM 71/2/71

Purpose

Design for the Scala Regia, 1822

Aspect

View of a Design for the Scala Regia, House of Lords

Inscribed

as above

Signed and dated

  • 1822
    1822

Medium and dimensions

Pencil, yellow and sepia washes, shaded, with multi-ruled caput wash border on wove paper (425 x 292)

Hand

Soane Office

Watermark

J Whatman 1820

Notes

This early design for the Scala Regia corresponds to a plan dated 'February 1822' (SM 71/2/82) so that the staircase occupies the space between an existing vestibule and the Prince's Chamber. The ornamentation of the staircase in this instance is fairly restrained, certainly in comparison with the approved design (SM 71/2/72). The design also differs from Soane's earlier designs for a Scala Regia made 1794-6 as part of his anticipated rebuilding of the House of Lords (q.v. London: House of Lords, Palace of Westminster: official (mostly domeless) designs: drawings 102-3). Features common to both the old and new designs include statues of monarchs, niches and the use of the Corinthian order, but the new design is much smaller in scale, having two flights of stairs instead of three and is less elaborately ornamented than the earlier version. The Scala Regia was executed to a different design in 1822-3.

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