I had just arrived at Fitzroy Square for the exhibition of new Georgian craftsmanship hosted by the Georgian Group and had entered number Six via the basement entrance.
Ahead of me lay a set of stone stairs leading to the ground floor and behind the stairs, a doorway led left to rooms at the back of the building. The generous scale seemed similar to that of the houses in Brunswick Square in Hove where the Regency Society has a similarly impressive Georgian building open to visitors.
I wondered what I should expect in the exhibition if the grand portrait of Lady W was merely propped up in the Georgian Group's office.
It was time to venture upstairs to the main entrance where I found a hallway filled with natural light and statues and ornamental features in Coade stone by Stephen Pettifer. The room reminded me of Sir John Soane's museum except the difference at Fitzroy Square were that the exhibits were all newly made.
 |
| Statue of Winter from the Four Seasons by Stephen Pettifer |
 |
| Miser keystone in Coade stone by Stephen Pettifer |
Established to protect and preserve buildings from the Georgian period, the Georgian Group was formed in 1937 as a reaction to the destruction of the Adams brother's Adelphi.
I carried on upstairs to the first floor and from the marvellous Georgian sash windows in the grand reception room I could see across the park in the centre of Fitzroy Square to where former residents George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf used to live.
Above, the delicate and elaborate cornicing caught my eye. Was it original or reproduction? It looked too perfect to be original but I hoped it was. It was certainly the prettiest I have ever seen.
The other object that I found truly stunning was a brave new gleaming bust of Hermes in Carrara marble by Corin Johnson.
 |
| Head of Hermes by Corin Johnson |
The Square itself was designed by the famous Georgian Architect Robert Adams, completed by his brother after he died.
Back downstairs, I headed into the room where a wood carving demonstration was taking place. Heather and Hannah from the Building Crafts College were busy chiselling and gave me permission to take their photo as they carried on working.
 |
| The Building Crafts College demonstration |
On my way out I passed walls covered with tools used to create the design features of an authentic Georgian interior. On one wall was a printing block made out of cherry wood and sample wallpaper to show the effect.
Passing the door to the office again I stopped to peek in, once more at the marvellous portrait of Lady Seymour Worsley. In the doorway Architect Silvia Maiorino had promised that the exhibition would be very photogenic. I had to agree.
Splendour! Art in Living Craftsmanship exhibition 2 - 25 February 2017, free entry
The Georgian Group, 6 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5DX
If you've been to the exhibition share your impressions below.
Sarah
 |
Sarah Agnew
Blogger, Modern Bric a Brac
     |
To find out about the best places to eat in Brighton and London plus beautiful places to visit, click here to Follow my blog with Bloglovin
