Oldway Mansion

Oldway Mansion is a mansion in the town of Paignton in Devon, UK. Built it, the American sewing machine manufacturer Isaac Merritt Singer and millionaire in the 1870s; he called it his " wigwam ". His son Paris Singer had it altered in the early 20th century into a "little Versailles ". Since 1946 Oldway Mansion is owned by the city. It houses offices and is used for official occasions. House and park are open to visitors, as well as the small museum with old sewing machine models of Singer.

Architectural History

Singer had acquired in 1871, the Fernham estate in Paignton. He let the old buildings torn down on the site and commissioned the local architect George Bridgman Soudon with the construction of a new building. Singer, however, died in 1875, shortly before the work was completed on the original manor house. Between 1904 and 1907 left Paris Eugene Singer, Isaac Singer's third son, converted the building modeled after the Palace of Versailles, where the elevated terrain was inspired on the east side of the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

Opposite the main entrance is a large circular building, known as the Rotunda. It was built in 1873 and originally used as a riding pavilion and for other physical activities.

Interior

The interior of the building is known for his great marble staircase and balustrade with its balusters of bronze, designed by the painter and architect Charles Lebrun. The ceiling of the staircase is decorated with a painting that resembles the original by Lebrun, The replica was created by Carl Rossner. Above of the staircase is a replica of the painting is The Coronation of Napoleon and Josephine by Jacques -Louis David. The original is in the Louvre.

The gallery on the first floor is a reproduction of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles and has a parquet floor. It leads to the ballroom, where the walls are adorned with gilded panels and silver mirrors. Above the fireplace hangs an oil painting from 1717 depicting Louis I of Spain as Prince of Asturias.

Garden

Oldway Mansion is surrounded by 17 acres of gardens, which has been designed by the French landscape architect Achille Duchêne in the Italian style. On the east side of the building is located on the lower level is a maze of boxwood ornaments and flower beds. South of the building there is a part with caves and waterfall pours into a basin over a rock cave. Otherwise thrive on the grounds many subtropical plants and shrubs.