Lee Place

Details

CHAFILSURY Lee Place SP 3519 5/2 27.8.56 GV II*

Small country house. Probably c.1640 extensively remodelled 1720s possibly by James Gibbs and with minor later additions and alterations. Coursed squared limestone rubble with ashlar dressings and chimneys; stone slate roof. Irregular L-plan with C17 house in centre of main (south-west) front and contemporary range extending to rear; pavilions added to north-west and south- east in early C18. Maint front: Symmetrical composition comprising C17 block of 2 storeys and attic and 5-window range, the 3 central bays defined by C18 pilasters under pediment; the whole flanked by single storey pavilions each with a hipped roof. Central part-glazed door has triangular pediment on Ionic half- columns. Glazing bar sashes in moulded stone architraves on ground and first floor. Pediment over three central bays has Diocletian window with glazing bars. Hipped dormers to right and left have casements with glazing bars. Gable end stacks, triple- shafted to right; twin-shafted to left. Flanking pavilions each have a Venetian window with glazing bar sashes and one glazing bar sash window in moulded architrave in the canted end bays set back to right and left. Sill band defines plinth; simple moulded cornice under parapet with 5 ball finials on each pavilion. Lead rainwater goods. Tall rear C17 range to left has single, double and triple-shafted ashlar stacks; scattered fenestration includes 2 cross casements with leaded lights and 2 sashes with thick glazing bars on ground and first floors. Irregular rear elevation has large and small pane sashes. Projecting service wing dated 1848 has irregular fenestartion including dormers and half-dormers. C20 range of three windows extends from left. Interior: now entered through C20 porch to rear leading via entrance hall to the suite of principal rooms along the main (garden) front. Entrance Hall: Full-height raised and fielded panelling; 6-panelled doors with moulded architraves; fireplace with lugged architrave under a painting of a Dutch river-scene fitted to the chimney-piece. Garden Room: formed early C18 within C17 house probably functioning originally as an entrance hall. Marble floor; richly moulded plasterwork over cross-beamed ceiling. Doors and window shutters have raised and fielded panels; dado panelling a later addition. Fine early C18 fireplace with hunting scenes. Dining Room: fine Rococo plaster ceiling c.1740-50; simulated double- leaf doors in moulded architraves; window shutters have egg and dart decoration. Adam-style fireplace with relief of 9 muses introduced C20. Sitting Room: moulded plaster over cross-beamed ceiling. 6-panelled door with deep panelled reveals, panelled window shutters; marble fireplace with luggled architrave. Drawing Room: now entered from Sitting Room, has elaborate chimney piece framing a landscape painting with scrolled pediment and doorcases with moulded architraves and pediments on consoles; plain ceiling with modillioned cornice. Early C18 doorleg staircase with bulbous turned balusters and pulvinated string leads from rear stair hall to first floor. Bedrooms hav C18 fireplaces, some with C19 grates,and retain original fittings including doors and some panelling. Ground floor of C17 rear wing has Tudor arched fireplace with plain spandrels.

Buildings of England (Oxfordshire), p. 528. The Antique Collector (June 1963), 93-101.

Listing NGR: SP3582419108

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

254142

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Pevsner, N, Sherwood, J, The Buildings of England: Oxfordshire, (1974), 528
The Antique Collector in June, (1963)

End of official list entry

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