Episode 25 of series 32 of the BBC’s Bargain Hunt programme included a section filmed at Number One, Royal Crescent which is a marvellous museum devoted to displaying and explaining the workings of a grand house in Bath in the Georgian era.
Tim Wannacot, the rather wonderful presenter of BBC’s “Bargain Hunt” outside Number 1 The Royal Crescent, Bath
The programme had a five-minute section during which we were shown some of the items on show in the study and hall of the house. First, items that may have provided amusement -the Comforts of Bath -during the season were displayed on a green baize-lined card table:
Card Table displaying some of the Comforts of Bath
A blue transfer decorated punch bowl, sadly denuded of its alcoholic contents…
Clay pipes…
and a twist of the Virginian tobacco which would have been smoked in them.
The bureau bookcase in the same room also had interesting items on display.
A portable, table-top celestial globe…
and two theatre tokens which were used in the theatre at Bath.
One for the cheap seats in the Gallery, above and one for the more exclusive seats in the boxes, below.
The programme gave us a rare opportunity to examine a sedan chair, a very popular form of transport in Bath due to the steep and narrow streets which made travelling by carriage somewhat difficult.
The chairs were made of a wooden frame, covered with leather which was then painted to provide a degrees of waterproofing …
The edges and corners were protected by decorative stud work…
The domed roof lifted up for ease of access, and internally there were blinds for privacy, and glazed windows…
And the all-important internal upholstery, including a down filled cushion seat, to protect the traveller from the bumps and bangs of a journey from his home to the Upper Rooms, perhaps, just like Catherine Moreland in Northanger Abbey.
The programme is still available to view via the BBC iPlayer, here, and I do urge you to look at it if you can as this section is very informative and enjoyable.
5 comments
November 14, 2012 at 11:13 pm
cathyallen
All very interesting, thank you. I believe I’ve never seen the inside of a sedan chair before this! Judging from the picture of the host with the chair, it seems to be VERY small inside. A large person, a tall gentleman, or a lady with hoops would certainly have a difficult time fitting. Were they made to order, or is this a “typical” one? What an elegant way to travel; I believe I’d like to try it! Thank you also for the link. I’ll try to watch the program later.
November 15, 2012 at 12:53 pm
jfwakefield
You could have them made to order ( and presumably to fit). There is a marvellously lavish sedan chair in the Royal Collection which was made for Queen Charlotte: go here to see it.
I think the quality of the ride depended upon the skill of the chairmen. Having walked up and down the many steep hills in Bath,I’m not sure I’d be too sanguine about a ride in one!
November 15, 2012 at 10:31 pm
cathyallen
That was wonderful; thanks for the link. It’s incredibly elaborate, and it amazes me how well preserved it is. But then it was the Queen’s chair, so it makes sense.
Good point about the hills in Bath… :-) Thanks, Julie.
November 17, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Caitlin
Thanks for the peek inside the house – at first I thought the tobacco was a skein of yarn. I had no idea it was sold like that – I assumed tobacco was always sold in the little chopped up leaf form. And I’m with you – rather trust my own feet – those things look a lttile tippy to me.
November 26, 2012 at 7:20 am
imogen88
LOL about the punch bowl, Julie. This was marvellous to see this post, love seeing the real items, in situ.