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One of the finest examples of Anglo-Japanese Gothick is Grey Towers,
designed by the architect John Ross for William Randolph Inns Hopkins
(built 1865 – 1867) and decorated and furnished by E. W. Godwin for
Collinson and Lock between April 1873 and July 1874 (Fig. 31). Although it
exists in a ruinous state, inventories describe and illustrate the original
furniture and fittings, while remnants of interior décor indicate its original
splendour. Says Susan Weber Soros:
Decoration is comprised of a stenciled pattern… featuring a stylized bamboo
leaf… a stencilled dado… with circular [Japanese] mon crests… [and] roundels with
gilded peacocks… within a gilded lattice design… [Figs 32 & 33]. To relate to the
Anglo-Japanese wall decoration… Godwin designed furniture of Japanese
inspiration [Fig 34].
Image removed according to copyright law
Figure 31: John Ross, Grey Towers, Nunthorpe, Middlesborough, 1865 – 1867
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