223 



$otrs on $)amtc& antr plaster Crilmsa 

 in Ocrbp. 



Bv W. Bemrose, Junr. 



|ITH a view to preserve sketches and notes of painted 

 and plaster ceilings in houses, which, some years ago, 

 were the town residences of the gentry and merchants 

 of former times, whose descendants have now migrated entirely 

 into the country, and with which relics of a former period of house 

 decoration the hand of the " restorer," or the requirements of 

 business are making such rapid inroads upon, these notes are 

 penned ; and also in the hope that other readers will be incited 

 to look around, and make notes of similar objects of interest with 

 which they may be acquainted. 



PLASTER CEILING. 

 The first ceiling we allude to is opposite the Town Hall, in a 

 house in the Market Place, Derby, and now in the occupation of 

 Mr. Hall. This room formerly measured 38 by 16 feet, but is 

 now divided into two rooms. Two, out of the five, panels, which 

 formed the ceiling of the larger room, have been destroyed. The 

 room now only measures 22ft. 6in. x 16ft, in consequence of 

 the house having been made into two. In its original state, the 

 room had a fire-place at each end. The walls are of oak wainscot, 

 and there are still traces of rude carving, or scribing, now nearly 

 obliterated by repeated coats of paint. It had five windows, 

 looking on to the Market Place, with a seat in each ; and when 

 the ceiling was perfect, and most likely the plaster work coloured, 

 it must have been a handsome room, and justly laid claim to the 



