The Drawing Room

The name for this sitting room developed from the 'withdrawing room' of earlier times.

The coal burning fireplace has one of Aston Hall's original Jacobean carved stone overmantels. James Watt admired such things and brought in a craftsman called Richard Bridgens to use patterns from the house in his furniture designs. A Bridgens small chest stands in this room.
This is where that new Victorian fashion - afternoon tea - took place. After tea or during the evening many Victorian folk liked to gather around the piano listening to someone playing or to join in by singing.
The heavy carved mahogany cupboards on either side of the room are typically Victorian. The candle holders, standing on the top of one cupboard, have glass funnels. These make the candle burn more brightly and stop it blowing about in draughts.

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