PHOTOGRAPHED CHRISTMAS 2021
A DERELICT SHELL HOUSE IN BUSHY PARK [IT IS NOT A FOLLY]
During a previous visit, I was informed that the structure in Bushy Park was a "folly." However, further research has revealed its true identity: a shell house. The key distinction lies in the decoration. While follies are primarily ornamental buildings with no intended practical function, often designed to enhance a landscape view or serve as an eccentric architectural statement, shell houses, as the name suggests, are specifically adorned with seashells, typically inside rather than outside.
Shell houses, often small and uniquely shaped, showcase a range of shell embellishments. These can vary from simple shell-lined patterns or accents to elaborate, fully-covered walls and ceilings. Their intricate nature makes them time-consuming to create and expensive to maintain or restore, contributing to their rarity.
This brings to mind the shell house at Carton House Estate in Kildare, once home to the singer Marianne Faithfull. Built around 1750 for Emily FitzGerald, great-granddaughter of Charles II, the cottage became a testament to her passion for collecting and artistry. Emily, who married James FitzGerald of Carton House in 1747, requested her friends traveling abroad to bring back marine specimens. These treasures—shells, crystals, sea urchins, seaweed, and even bird eggs—were then meticulously incorporated into the cottage's design. She adorned the walls, windows, and furniture, creating a spectacular visual display. The centrepiece of this remarkable space is a dome lined with thousands of tropical shells. Emily's creative talents extended beyond the shell house; she also designed the renowned Chinese Room in the main Carton House, later used by Queen Victoria. Among her 23 children was the Irish patriot, Lord Edward FitzGerald, a leader in the 1798 rebellion. Years later, the cottage served as home for seven years to Marianne Faithfull, former girlfriend of Mick Jagger, who entertained notable guests there, including Princess Grace of Monaco and Peter Sellers. Note: I came across one account, in a tourist guide, claiming that Queen Victoria was one of Marianne's guests.
Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull (29 December 1946 – 30 January 2025) was an English singer and actress who achieved popularity in the 1960s with the release of her UK top 10 single "As Tears Go By". She became one of the leading female artists of the British Invasion in the United States.
During a previous visit, I was informed that the structure in Bushy Park was a "folly." However, further research has revealed its true identity: a shell house. The key distinction lies in the decoration. While follies are primarily ornamental buildings with no intended practical function, often designed to enhance a landscape view or serve as an eccentric architectural statement, shell houses, as the name suggests, are specifically adorned with seashells, typically inside rather than outside.
Shell houses, often small and uniquely shaped, showcase a range of shell embellishments. These can vary from simple shell-lined patterns or accents to elaborate, fully-covered walls and ceilings. Their intricate nature makes them time-consuming to create and expensive to maintain or restore, contributing to their rarity.
This brings to mind the shell house at Carton House Estate in Kildare, once home to the singer Marianne Faithfull. Built around 1750 for Emily FitzGerald, great-granddaughter of Charles II, the cottage became a testament to her passion for collecting and artistry. Emily, who married James FitzGerald of Carton House in 1747, requested her friends traveling abroad to bring back marine specimens. These treasures—shells, crystals, sea urchins, seaweed, and even bird eggs—were then meticulously incorporated into the cottage's design. She adorned the walls, windows, and furniture, creating a spectacular visual display. The centrepiece of this remarkable space is a dome lined with thousands of tropical shells. Emily's creative talents extended beyond the shell house; she also designed the renowned Chinese Room in the main Carton House, later used by Queen Victoria. Among her 23 children was the Irish patriot, Lord Edward FitzGerald, a leader in the 1798 rebellion. Years later, the cottage served as home for seven years to Marianne Faithfull, former girlfriend of Mick Jagger, who entertained notable guests there, including Princess Grace of Monaco and Peter Sellers. Note: I came across one account, in a tourist guide, claiming that Queen Victoria was one of Marianne's guests.
Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull (29 December 1946 – 30 January 2025) was an English singer and actress who achieved popularity in the 1960s with the release of her UK top 10 single "As Tears Go By". She became one of the leading female artists of the British Invasion in the United States.
PHOTOGRAPHED CHRISTMAS 2021