A few close-ups of the intricate painting on the building
Such intricate work
I've never looked it up before, but here's a piece I found
"Not a great deal has been written about the so-called
"Egyptian House" in Chapel Street, Penzance. A local man commissioned it
in about 1830; the architect was one John Foulton, or Foulston, of
Plymouth. It imitated one of the most celebrated Egyptian buildings of
the time, Robinson's Egyptian Hall, in London's Piccadilly.
Like its prototype, it was used to house a museum of natural
curiosities. Apart from its extraordinary facade, the inside was that of
a fairly normal Regency town-house, except that the ground floor was
divided in two by a deep central doorway and vestibule. Now, it belongs
to the Landmark Trust; there are two shops downstairs and some rentable
apartments above. It is Grade I-listed as of 1988, the date of the most
recent restoration"
What an interesting building, to look at and read about. Must stand out amongst less colourful buildings. The Admiral Benbow, another unique building, much photographed, I imagine. Looks like my camera will be busy!
ReplyDeleteIt really is totally different to anything else in Pz. I do remember it getting a little the worse for wear at one time, but the latest restoration is still looking wonderful. Trouble is it's too tall for the camera to get the best shot !
DeleteChapel Street is one of my favorite streets in Cornwall with so many interesting shops. I like the second hand bookshop and have bought two pictures from there for the cottage, as well as a replacement Flower fairies book.
ReplyDeleteI also like to look in Daphne's Antiques as sometimes there is some studio pottery for me to covet! I have also bought a couple of rugs from East of Eden too which soften the slate floors.
The Egyptian House is unique and your photos do justice to all the details.
Since it's so steep I'm always glad to be able to stop and look in the windows or admire the buildings - it's a fascinating street and it's such a pity that so many visitors must never see it !
DeleteWonderful pictures Sue ! Like Lynn we love Chapel Street too, some really interesting buildings,always plenty to look at(and buy).Interesting info. on the Egyptian House.thanks Sue.
ReplyDeleteDon't know why I've never done a search on the origins of The Egyptian House - really interesting and it will hopefully be well looked after for many years to come.
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