THROUGH MY LENS -The Argory Entrance Hall

As one enters The Argory to the West Hall, you realise the interior is a joy compared to the awkward and forbidding exterior. In fact the interior is the epitome of country house life with its accretions and comforts and the marbled walls give the impression of warmth and welcome.

The staircase hall, or west hall, has been described as one of the most exciting interiors of its date in Ireland. It has a theatrical cantilevered staircase with brass banister supports, marbled walls, colza-oil lamp (converted to gas in 1906) and a large cast-iron stove surmounted by a replica of the Warwick vase. The original 1821 drawings of this stove survive; its flue descends beneath the floor to the drawing-room chimney. 

Our large group from the  National Trust property at Mount Stewart was divided into 3 smaller groups and we were the first group to be guided round the house by Edith Stafford who had worked there as a guide for many years and because her mother had worked for the family she was able to tell us very interesting stories about life in The Argory in years gone by.

The room also has an almost life-size bronze cast of a mastiff, one of two bronzes of dogs which date from 1835 and are early examples of the work of the French animalier Charles Fratin.

We went ascended the beautiful staircase I was just in time to photograph the next group that had just entered the West Hall.

I am sorry I was not able to visit any blogs over the past few days as I was working at a very special event at National Trust Property - Mount Stewart House and Gardens.

I am linking to THROUGH MY LENS.

Many thanks for visiting and also to all you leave comments.