Autumn Antiques Holiday              November 21st - 26th 2010
 

PROGRAMME

Rothay Manor has been running Antiques holidays for over 18 years in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District. 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. Once again the course tutor will be Nicholas Merchant.

* A Mania for Marble with Nicholas Merchant. Many of the great collections of 18th century Antique Sculpture were formed in the North of England. Nicholas looks at the reasons behind this cumbersome hobby.

   
* Masterclass with Dr David Cross; Fascinating Faces, British Characters and their Portraits. Dr David Cross returns to talk on the way artists through the ages have painted English faces. From Holbein to Hockney, the old, the young, the bad and the beautiful are all recorded, exposing their characters through the application of paint to canvas.

   
* Cumbria Crystal Glass Factory. This factory makes full lead glass in the traditional manner. We shall have a guided tour of the factory illustrating the various processes, and a chance to see glass engraving techniques.

    
* Clocks - a return visit G K Hadfields, the clock specialists, where we shall have a talk on the mysteries and intricacies of the clock, with coffee on arrival. Highland Drove for light lunch.

    
* The Watermill. This is the only working watermill producing organic flour in Cumbria, where we will have a guided tour. Time to visit the adjacent shop and café, where afternoon tea will be served.

   
* Heating the House. How one of man’s basic requirements was dealt with before the days of central heating and so created something both practical and decorative.

    
* The Adam Family, A Scottish Architectural Dynasty. The famous Robert Adam is the best-known of this family. In this talk we look into his background and the support he had from his architect father and from his brothers.

* Masterclass on Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott with Dr Kathy Haslam. This is the first of an ongoing series of lectures arranged with Blackwell on the arts of the period. Baillie Scott in addition to being the architect of the house was one of the most innovative of the architects of the period. Dr. Haslam was for a number of years Curator at the Geffrye Museum in London. Own transport.

     
* The Late King’s Goods. The decapitation of Charles I was the beginning of a disastrous dispersal of the Royal collection. Sold off were Titians, Tapestries, Jewels and even slop-pails, all in surge of Puritan fervour. Not till the restoration of the Monarchy and George IV did the collection regain its standing and splendour.

     
* Some Country Houses of the 20th Century with Nicholas. The 1950’s saw the demise of the country house…..or did it? Nicholas explores how in the latter part of the 20th century fortunes were reversed, not only with the building of many new and innovative houses, but also many old estates were revitalised.

All this, and the comfort, food and hospitality of the Rothay Manor in addition to the much-contested Quiz!

The Tutor

 
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.

Prices

The 5-night holiday runs from Sunday evening through to Friday morning, and the price is per person and includes full English breakfast, morning coffee, 3 course dinner and VAT @ 17.5% for the 5 night stay, and a light lunch on the full-day excursion.

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.