What kind of building is this and where??

[Maggie.]

I've had another thought. Are any of the members who have posted on this thread a member of the Society of Architectural Historians? If not does anyone know a member of this Society? They tend to have a look at the insides and outsides of buildings and might be able to assist with this picture.

You beat me to it Christopher.  Husband now on case.

What an absorbing post - and what a creepy room 

Maggie

[Christopher]

Ach Maggie, sorry about that ... we could call it a tie if you like

I come across queries about old buildings from time to time and usually contact one of the staff at the
Ulster Architectural Heritage Society who are very helpful and have put me on to a couple of useful
websites. I don't know a lot about such societies in England though.   

[pete edwards]

Just a thought,

Could this photo have been doctored in the past, we all see what the photo wizards do on here ,  I only wonder because there seems to be a certain amount of underexposure in parts, and if you look at the cornice where the walls meet the cealing they do not appear to be in line I would have thought that if this was one room ore it was one exposure, then the cornice would be in line,

only musing

Pete,

[Maggie.]

Could take a while but I think we will eventually be getting a complete architectural break-down on the building - Corinthian columns, Gothic vaulting, et al        

That pic. of lady next to stuffed owl - the potential Madonna of the Whatevers, or Lady at her Toilet - when I screw my eyes up and squint at it I can see a can-can girl lifting her skirt to reveal her left leg ................ or is it the vino talking   

Maggie

[Little Nell]

This is really going off at a tangent, but I'll say it anyway.

Apologies if someone has mentioned any of these before, my fault for coming late to the thread.

Everyone seems to agree that the presence of a door either side of the central feature at the end of the room is unusual.  It made me think of a court room or throne room, with an ante chamber behind it.

And on the left hand side, on the wall beyond the "puppet" in a glass case, might that be some sort of curtain covering something?

The vaulted ceiling is very low, so it could either be cellar like or under the main floor of the room, or it could be right at the top, like in a Scottish tower castle.  The dividing ribs are however quite thin so I'd be inclined to err on the side of a building on the upper floors, with only the roof above it.

All the contents seem to be put there deliberately to confuse - they sure have succeeded! 

Nell

[patrish]

My son just took a look and he agrees with Gadgets theory of an attic or top floor of a building.

Its a good job its not April 1st, thats all I can say.

[Maggie.]

Thoughts anybody?

Maggie

[Maggie.]

Right-oh…………. input from husband who is in this line of work.  Don’t know whether it helps or hinders but here goes:-

It is probably a basement because it has no windows.
The floor (1) could be either stone flags (joints possibly visible) or varnished timber (reflective surface).  Step by ‘altar rail’ (2) is timber 125mm high.
Walls (3) appear to be plastered.  Ceiling (4) possibly Dutch - see my previous post with pic., is vaulted and plastered with either ribs (5) made of timber or more likely metal, in pairs with an enlarged rounded stem (6) above the cornice moulding. Cast iron column or projected timber moulding (7).  Probably cast iron moulded column head to shape of cornice - 8, or it could be moulded timber to cornice at head of timber column.  (9) is a projecting pilaster.  Room narrows at (10) between these two points and at (11) the vaulted ceiling level drops approx. 500mm.
(12) appears to be a circular cast plaster ornamentation and maybe a possible light source.  (Looks like a vase!)
(13) open to suggestions !!
(14) fluted plaster or timber square pilasters approx 300mm wide with simple capital.
(15) eight panelled doors approx. 750mm wide with semi circular head, a round brass or timber knob is fixed in central rail (more visible in left hand door).
(16) ornamented plaster infill panels above doors and at (17) in soffit of archway over recess.

Sorry attached enumerated version of photo is a bit 'bleached' - it happened when hubby added the numbers.

Maggie (and husband)   

[atom12]

Vaulted ceilings can be found in cellars as well as in attic rooms.

I'm sure I've seen these in Glamis Castle and in another Scottish Castle, namely Kinloch Castle, though now a ruin, it says:

"The building contained a hall and private room end to end over three vaulted cellars."