NEWS All the latest
Burghley House was home to Sir William Cecil, all images courtesy of Burghley House
WHAT’S GOING ON IN FEBRUARY
Our round-up of the pick of the events taking place this month ANTIQUE news
HURLY BURGHLEY Plans to celebrate the 500th-anniversary of the b irth of Sir William Cecil have been unveiled at Burghley House in Lincolnshire – the country house he commissioned.
O ne of the UK’s most impressive Eliz abethan homes, it was built and mostly designed by Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Eliz abeth I, between 1555 and 1587.
Cecil was one of the most powerful men in the court of Elizabeth I. The house, near S tamford, houses the impressive collections of John, 5th Earl of Exeter (1648-1700) who made four extended Grand Tours of Italy, and Brownlow, 9th Earl (1725-1793).
The calendar of celebratory events for 2020 includes a lecture series focusing on the life, times and legacy of William Cecil. Guest speakers include Professor Stephen Alford, Dr Anna Keay, David Starkey, Dr Simon Thurley and Professor Jennifer Alexander.
Above Queen Elizabeth’s bedroom in Burghley House, the state bed dates from the mid-17th century; the curtains and counterpane are 20th century
Above right The Bow Room, decorated by Louis Laguerre in 1697
Did you know? The house’s original floor plan was in the shape of a letter 'E', to honour Queen Elizabeth I. Although the Tudor monarch never stayed there, a bedroom has been named after her for more than 300 years.
6 ANTIQUE COLLECTING
BAG for LIFE Details of a major exhibition with the focus on bags have been revealed by the V&A. From designer handbags to despatch boxes, vanity cases to military rucksacks Bags: Inside Out, will be dedicated to the ultimate accessory.
Opening on April 25, the exhibition will include statement accessories from the 16th century to the iconic handbags of Margaret Thatcher.
Highlights range from an embroidered cloth case, or burse, used to protect the silver matrix of Elizabeth I’s great seal, to Winston Churchill’s red despatch box. Also on show will be Vivien Leigh’s attaché case and a Louis Vuitton trunk from the early 1900s.
Below Margaret Thatcher outside 10 Downing Street with her Asprey handbag, 1987. Photo credit John Redman AP
Top Despatch box number seven, by John Peck & Son, London
Above Chancellor of the Exchequer Winston Churchill carrying the despatch box
