The Chambers of Old London

Impending gloom at the Mansion House, c. 1910

Given the increasing volatility of meteorological conditions, as we head into another long winter in the northern hemisphere, and given the fact that rain which is falling upon the capital is falling as snow across the country, I think the only prudent course of action is to withdraw into one of the chambers of old London. Once the last meagre ray of December sunlight has filtered through the lace curtains, highlighting the dust upon the armoire, pull the brocade drapes close and bank up the fire with sea-coal. Stretch out upon the chaise langue, I shall take the sofa and my cat will settle in the fauteuil.

These glass slides once used for magic lantern shows by the London & Middlesex Archaeological Society at the Bishopsgate Institute reveal glimpses into the lavish chambers occupied by those at the pinnacle of power in old London, and I can only wonder what the East Enders of a century ago thought when exposed to these strange visions of another world.

State Room Chelsea Royal Hospital, c. 1920

Drawing Room at Lindsay House, Chelsea, former home of the Moravians, 1912

Hall at Fulham Palace, c. 1920

White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Dining Room at Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Christians’ Sitting Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Prince Consort’s Writing Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Throne Room at St James’ Palace, c.1910

Prince Consort’s Music Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Prince Consort’s Tapestry Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Empress Eugiene’s Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Bow Saloon, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Prince Consort’s Writing Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Prince Consort’s Music Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Queen Victoria’s Dolls’ House, Kensington Palace, c. 1910

Holland House, c. 1910

Lord Mayor’s Room, Mansion House, c.1910

Drawing Room, Goldsmiths Hall, c. 1920

Drawing Room, Armourers’ Hall, c. 1920

Small Hall at Cordwainers’ Hall, 1920

Drawing Room, Goldsmiths’ Hall, 1920

Drawing Room, Salters’ Hall, c. 1910

Drawing Room, Mercers’ Hall,  1920

Drawing Room, Devonshire House, c. 1910

Ballroom  at Devonshire House, c. 1910

Drawing Room, Whitehall Gardens, 1913

Prince Consort’s Dressing Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Belgian Suite Bedroom, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Prince Consort’s Study, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Bow Saloon, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Throne Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910

Vestry of St Lawrence Jewry, c. 1920

Glass slides copyright © Bishopsgate Institute

You may also like to take a look at

The Nights of Old London

The Ghosts of Old London

The Dogs of Old London

The Signs of Old London

The Markets of Old London

The Pubs of Old London

The Doors of Old London

The Staircases of Old London

The High Days & Holidays of Old London

The Dinners of Old London

The Shops of Old London

The Streets of Old London

The Fogs & Smogs of Old London