49

The reproduced seat cushions for this
painted furniture are covered in red mo-
reen to match the curtain and drapery
treatment in the Great Hall. The window
treatments are based on an entry in
Charles Carnan Ridgely's inventory for
five pairs of red moreen window curtains
with cornices and pins. The fifth pair may
have been for the stair hall. The Greek key
border braid or tape on the curtains is
based on related examples of the period
and complements the crown moldings in
the Great Hall.

The gilt cornices are reproduced
from a surviving carved and gilded origi-
nal in the Hampton collections, and
the stag's head pins or tiebacks are 19th
century examples of the Ridgely family
crest.

Before 1830, painted floorcloths were
used in the Great Hall. A1793 order from
London for Charles Carnan Ridgely lists
several floorcloths, including one 53 feet
by 20 feet, 9 inches, without seam, in the
Norfolk pattern.

Also exhibited in this room are two
mahogany serving tables or side tables.
These two single tables were probably
each one of a pair used at Hampton. The
Baltimore mahogany veneered and inlaid
sideboard on display is not part of the
Ridgely family collections, but is a typical form for use in this room.

The porcelains, as well as the stained glass windows in the fanlights over the portico
doors, are mid-19th century.

During the Victorian period, stained glass windows, which are preserved in storage,
were installed in the Great Hall. They were ordered from the Messrs. Gerbhandt in 1856
and replaced the large sash windows. Another stained glass window depicting the Ridgely
coat-of-arms had been placed in the stair landing window in 1845.

The Great Hall ceiling was ornately stencilled and paintings covered the walls, along
with sconces and wall brackets. Tapestries were hung over the doors to prevent drafts
and animal skin rugs were scattered on the floor when the Turkey carpet was not in use.
As one might imagine, the Great Hall was dark and ornate in the latter 19th century.

Present day lighting includes two elegant cut-glass chandeliers made in England, c. 1800.
A gift from Ailsa Mellon Bruce, they were purchased in London at an estate sale and
presented to Hampton when it was opened as an historic site. Prior to this, however, a
large multi-tiered glass and bronze gilt gasolier hung in the center of the Great Hall. This

Painted armchair, Baltimore, c. 1810. This arm-
chair is part of a large set of painted furniture
made for John Eager Howard of "Belvidere". The
set, each piece individually decorated with differ-
ent botanical specimens, was purchased at
Howard's estate sale by Charles Carnan Ridgely
in 1828.