Apsley House, originally a red brick building, was built between 1781-1787 by neo-classical architect Robert Adam for Baron Apsley, later the second Earl Bathurst. It was purchased by Marquess Wellesley, elder brother to Arthur Wellesley, in 1807, with financial difficulties following soon after. Needing a base of operations and residence in London, and seeking to ease his brother’s financial burdens, the ever practical Duke purchased the house in 1817.
The house was used for entertaining on a grand scale, and Wellington’s great dinner and dessert services are on display. The Sèvres Egyptian Service was commissioned by Napoleon for his Empress Josephine. The vast silver Portuguese Service, with an 8 metre long centrepiece, adorned the table at the annual Waterloo Banquet, a great event at which the Duke entertained officers who had served under him at Waterloo and in the Peninsular War.
From 1992-1995 Apsley House was restored to its former glory as the private palace of the ‘Iron Duke’. Apsley House is the last great London town-house with collections largely intact and family still in residence.
The first Duke of Wellington possessed a collection of art and fine furnishings perhaps unrivalled by any contemporary. After the Duke’s victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, grateful nations and private citizens showered Wellington with gifts of thanks, including a fine Sevres porcelain service from Louis XVIII of France, and superlative Portuguese silver.
There are also 200 paintings from the royal collection of the Kings of Spain that Wellington recovered from Joseph Bonaparte after the Battle of Vitoria in 1813. After King Ferdinand VII was reinstated as monarch, he asked Wellington to keep the paintings as a gift of thanks. The Duke, no fool he, agreed. Among these paintings are works by Goya, Velasquez, Correggio, and Rubens.
Front and centre upon entering Apsley is Antonio Canova’s huge statue of Napoleon, portrayed as an ancient Greek athlete. The sword carried by Wellington at Waterloo is on display in the Plate and china Room, as well as the sword of his great foe Napoleon.
I suppose I should come clean and confess that the last time I was at Apsley House I set off the alarms. Really. It was in the Waterloo Chamber. I was looking at the 8 metre long silver centerpiece on the table and simply could not believe my eyes. The entire thing was coated in a layer of dust. My eyes must be deceiving me, thought I, as I wiped a fingertip across one of the figures. Well, not only was there, indeed, dust on my finger, but the alarms began sounding and by the time a guard entered the room, I’d turned my back and was studying the full length portrait of George IV. No matter that I was the only person in the room, I simply acted as though nothing at all had happened. And as far as I’m concerned, it hadn’t. Hopefully, they feel the same and will let me back in this June. Kristine
Hey!! I'm not taking the rap for you carrying off the duke's treasures. I know you have a terrific collection, but REALLY!!! Tucking a spoon into your reticule is TOO much. But I must say, I hope they have dusted by the time we get there.
I don't know, I think we should set our sights above a spoon . . . that nude statue of Napoleon would look grand in your guest bathroom. Ha!
While you two are setting off alarms I'll be going for the swords! I'm stowing away in somebody's luggage !!
Swords! Louisa, you're a genius. Yes, swords should be our first objective. We'll arm ourselves and then each of us will grab the one item we want most from the collection. It should be portable. I get dibs on the death mask in the basement. Sorry, Baroness, we'll have to leave the Naked Boney statue and the full length portrait of Prinny behind. I wonder what our very own Ms. Gaston would swipe given half the chance? You know, if we keep up with these musings, they really won't let us back in . . .
Hey! I'm grabbing the keys!! I'll make more than one visit. Especially to the private quarters. N'est-ce pas?????
Aaarrrgghhh! Why is everyone so much more clever (or should that be devious?) than I am? Why didn't I think of swords and keys? Good thing I've never been tempted by a life of crime.
I hate to tell you this, Kristine, but The Divine One will probably deck you for that death mask.