Description:This view of the Saloon at Chillington Hall was taken by County Life in 1948.
The Saloon was built on the site of the Medieval Hall and was designed by Sir John Soane in 1786-69. There are later 19th century additions to the decoration.
The design of the roof is that of a great ellipse coving upwards to a smaller oval, which is given clerestory lighting. The ellipse itself is carried on small pendentives, the triangular structures at each corner of the dome, in which the two Giffard crests are set in roundels inscribed with the family motto. The room shows Soane’s love of contrasting curves.
Image copyright Country Life. This image may not be used for resale or commercial purposes without Country Life’s express permission.