The Vestibule

The Vestibule, Lansdown Tower, 1845. Interior of an architectural folly built for British art collector William Beckford near Bath, Somerset. It was designed by Henry Goodridge. The house and contents were auctioned after Beckford's death in 1844. 'The Vestibule...is small; but lit by painted windows, and sumptuously fitted. The colours are crimson and dark oak. Here are four Roman seats, of Riga and Pollard oak, with bold lion masks, and deep paneling - of the highest design and most elaborate workmanship. There are likewise four franging oak cabinets. The costly items are Etruscan vases, Indian and Japan china, Raffaelle ware, marble sarcophagi, &c. The carpet is crimson and black, quatrefoil pattern'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII. Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images)