The Van Haeften House

a detailed Palladian mansion standing on original arcaded base. This wonderful English house circa 1740-50 was acquired from Baroness Ann van Haeften by Vivien Greene in 1966 and became part of "The Vivien Greene Collection of Antique Doll's Houses in her Rotunda Museum at Oxford." (which is engraved on brass plaque on back of house). According to additional history of the house, the baroness' mother saved pocket change to purchase the house from a second hand dealer in 1885 which was moved to Scotland and finally to London where it was given to the baroness. The exterior is painted and constructed to simulate stone with quoining. The facade opens in 2 unequal sections, the smaller section on left is hinged, the larger right hand piece has been left unattached to preserve structural integrity of house. The two story house sits on an attached arched base typical of construction of Georgian buildings of the period. The walls are decorated with with finely crafted paneling, chair rails and moldings which compliment the polished wood floors. The ground floor hallway with staircase that has molded handrails with banister and mock door under staircase. Two doorways lead to rooms on either side, the left is a kitchen with built in shelves and spit rack over fireplace and inset tin stove. The right ground floor room has a fireplace with faux marble surround and heavily molded overmantle frame with an oil painting of shepherd and sheep in pastoral scene. (During the second restoration of the house, a signature was discovered which appears to be "Schuster" which may refer to the German artist Johann Martin Schuster 1667-1738). The second level, or what may be properly be considered the first floor are a landing and 2 rooms that are also decorated with the detailed paneled walls. The right room overmantle oil painting is of some rather voracious looking canines. The house underwent some restoration when it was acquired by Greene and underwent a further, comprehensive restoration when it was acquired by the OSTM. The conservator, David Goist, worked extensively to remove overpaint from almost all exterior and interior surfaces. The gouache tones were applied to some unpainted replacements from previous restoration to suggest approximated tones. The careful and meticulous conservation of this fine 18th century house have added to the rich history of this splendid piece and served to preserve the historical integrity.
Size: 52.5" w. x 49.25" t. x 19.25" d.

very good and as noted