Ornate Decoration Collection

Detail of the ceiling in the Stone Hall, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo)
CLF306311 Detail of the ceiling in the Stone Hall, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo) (see also 310447) by English Photographer

The chimneypiece in the Stone Hall, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo)
CLF306307 The chimneypiece in the Stone Hall, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo) by English Photographer

The Saloon, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo)
CLF306305 The Saloon, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); (add.info)

The Long Gallery, Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire, from The English Country House (b/w photo)
CLF306316 The Long Gallery, Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire, from The English Country House (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); (add.info)

The state rooms, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo)
CLF306310 The state rooms, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); (add.info)

The east side of the Marble Parlour, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo)
CLF306304 The east side of the Marble Parlour, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from The English Country House (b/w photo) by English Photographer

The Stone Hall, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from 100 Favourite Houses (b/w photo) (see also 306311)
CLF310447 The Stone Hall, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, from 100 Favourite Houses (b/w photo) (see also 306311) by English Photographer

The very fine Buddhist 17th century fort and monastery at Trashi Yangtze is situated a short distance from the town, some 550 km from the capital, Thimpu

The impressive Dzong, or fortress, at Trashigang. It was built in 1667 on a high promontory overlooking the confluence of the Drangme Chhu and Gamri Chhu rivers

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Ornate Decoration: A Global Perspective From the ornately decorated ceilings of the Stone Hall at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, England, with its intricate plasterwork and gilding (The English Country House), to the grand chimneypiece adorned with carved and gilded figures (The English Country House), the opulence of 17th-century European design is a feast for the eyes. Yet ornate decoration is not limited to the Western world. The Saloon at Houghton Hall, with its elaborate tapestries and gilded woodwork, pales in comparison to the Long Gallery at Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire, England, with its stunning collection of 17th-century textiles (The English Country House). But ornate decoration is not just about grandeur and wealth. The state rooms at Houghton Hall, with their intricate detailing and fine craftsmanship, reveal the artistry and skill of the craftsmen of the time (The English Country House). Even the east side of the Marble Parlour at Houghton Hall, with its delicate plasterwork and gilding, demonstrates the beauty and elegance (The English Country House). Across the globe, in the Buddhist 17th-century fort and monastery at Trashi Yangtze, ornate decoration takes on a different form. The impressive Dzong, or fortress, at Trashigang is adorned with intricate woodcarvings, colorful paintings, and intricate metalwork (see also 310447, 306311). These decorative elements are not just for show, but serve as sacred symbols and reminders of the spiritual significance of the site. Ornate decoration, whether in Europe or Asia, is a testament to the human desire to create beauty and meaning in our surroundings. From the intricate details of a silver tankard (late 1600s, cut & seamed silver sheet, repousse & chased ornament) to the grandeur of a palace, ornate decoration speaks to our sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around us.