Spring Antiques Holidays

January 30th - Feb 4th 2011

February 13th - 18th 2011                  

PROGRAMME

Rothay Manor has been running Antiques holidays for over 18 years in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District, and this year, is running the same holiday twice at the start of the year. The holidays are designed for people with an interest in fine art and antiques, the emphasis being on a pleasant and relaxing time in the company of fellow enthusiasts, rather than formal teaching. Groups are limited to 25, and are well suited to anyone on their own.

* Fabergé and the Imperial Court of Russia. Fabergé was a unique craftsman whose jewels captivated the elite of Europe in the final years of the 19th century. His work, of great intricacy and detail, has become a byword for luxury, ingenuity of design and of quality. Allied to the fact that much of his work was commissioned by the doomed Russian monarchy only adds to piquancy of his appeal.

  
* Late 18th Century Neo-Classical Furniture with Janusz Karczewski-Slowikovski. A welcome return by this long-established NADFAS lecturer. Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite - all well-known as 18th century furniture makers, but what inspired their particular style towards the end of the 18th century?
  

* Keeping the Roof On. Britain’s country houses are unique, but the toll on their numbers has been enormous. The 1950’s were a particularly disastrous period with something like one house per week being lost at one time. However, a surprising number of new houses have been built, thus continuing the long tradition of the English Country House.

  
* Floor-coverings for the Country House. Floor coverings are taken for granted, be they linoleum, drugget, carpet or oak boards. A closer study reveals that the development of this essential over the centuries reflects our increasing quest for comfort from strewn rushes to fitted Wilton. There is a whole swathe of history to be discovered under your feet!
   

* William Morris, A Sense of Place. This talk, by Dr Kathy Haslam, Curator of Blackwell, is the second in a series of on-going lectures on the subject of the Arts and Crafts movement, each given at the house. Dr Haslam is an acknowledged authority on this subject and it is particularly appropriate that these talks should take place in one of the finest houses of the period overlooking Lake Windermere. Afternoon tea available at the house. Own transport
     

* Tullie House Museum, Carlisle. Melanie Gardner, Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art, will talk on the Museum’s Pre-Raphaelite collection. This collection, newly displayed, comprises not only paintings but also William de Morgan pottery, William Morris textiles and Metalwork. The museum also contains the designs for the windows at Brampton Church. Lunch in the museum restaurant (included).

* Brampton Church, Built by the Arts and Crafts architect Phillip Webb, under the aegis of the Earls of Carlisle, this unobtrusive church is doubly important because of its period and because of its stained glass designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, one of the greatest of the Pre-Raphaelite artists of the 19th century.

* Beatrix Potter. The Beatrix Potter Gallery at Hawkshead contains a collection of meticulous watercolours of all the characters from Miss Potter’s books, so beloved by generations of children. The curator from the gallery will set the scene on the life of this author, artist and country-woman, who above all did much to preserve the Lake District.
  

* Rydal Mount. The "Best Loved Home” of William Wordsworth with a special guided tour of the house and grounds by the curator Peter Elkington. Wordsworth lived here from 1813-50, the period of his greatest success.

A diverse range of subjects which, allied with the comforts of the Rothay Manor, will ensure a thoroughly rewarding and stimulating break.
    

    
The Host
Nicholas Merchant's career has mirrored his abiding interest in antiques, and embraces architecture, particularly country houses, their Collections and Gardens. Through his work at Sothebys and Phillips, Auctioneers in London and Leeds, he has acquired a wide general knowledge of Antiques.

He is a member of the Furniture History Society, the National Trust, and the Chippendale Society. In addition to conducting travel groups, he is an accredited lecturer with the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts, and has lectured extensively including at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He divides his time between lecturing, valuation work, and his book business specialising in Reference Works on Decorative and Fine Arts. Notes will accompany each talk, and Nicholas will be present and available throughout the course. Items for discussion are welcomed from course members.

The 5-night holidays run from Sunday evening through to mid-day Friday, and the price is per person and includes full English breakfast, morning coffee, 3 course dinner and VAT @ 20% for the 5 night stay.

Non-participating partners are welcome, and the cost for them is £50 less than above.

We ask for a deposit of £150 per person for the 5-night holiday, which can be by cheque or credit card. This is non-refundable unless the room is subsequently relet, and cancellation insurance is available.

Programme Itinerary - February 2011
Sunday
Afternoon	Guests arrive
7.00	Welcome Drink and introductory talk. Dinner at 7.30
Monday
9.45 - 10.45	'Fabergé and the Imperial Court of Russia' with Nicholas Merchant
11.15 - 12.15	Late 18th Century Neo-Classical Furniture with Janusz Karczewski-Slowikovski.
2.00 - 3.00	Drive in own transport to Blackwell
3.00	William Morris, A Sense of Place, by Kathy Haslam
Tuesday
9.45 - 10.45	'Keeping the Roof on' with Nicholas Merchant
11.15 - 12.15	'Floor-coverings for the Country House'
1.00 - 2.00	Lunch
2.30 - 4.00	Brampton Church
7.00	Gather for Dinner at 7.30
Wednesday
9.45	Depart by coach to Tullie House Museum, Carlisle
11.00	Visit to Tullie House Museum
1.00 - 2.00	Lunch
2.30 - 4.00	Brampton Church
7.00	Gather for Dinner at 7.30
Thursday
9.45 - 10.45	Beatrix Potter
11.00	Depart for Rydal Mount
Afternoon	Free
7.00	Gather for Dinner at 7.30
9.00	Marking of the Quiz
Friday
Morning	Guests depart after breakfast
Breakfast  8.15 onwards      Coffee Break   10.45 - 11.15     Dinner    7.45 pm