Designed in 1788-90, as part of the new ground for reception, this room admirably testifies to Henry Holland's refined reticence. No effect is the least bit worked for: even the ceiling was added later (by Broadbent of Leicester in 1865), while the double doors (which permit the whole wing to be opened to view) are Victorian.
The Billard Room looking through to the Library.
Furniture
- The Grande Commode veneered with oriental lacquer was supplied by Daguerre in 1791 and is stamped C.C. Saunier. Two corner cabinets, effectively en suite, also supplied by Daguerre and stamped by the same maker.
- Either side of the fireplace are a pair of Regency mahogany set-tees covered with gros point needlepoint on turned reeded tapering legs.
'Scape Flood' a hunter belonging to the First Earl Spencer by George Stubbs.
Holland's touch is best shown in the fireplace, which was worked by John Deval. By lowering the sill, and keeping the decorative pilasters to simple, diagonally scrolled urns, he successfully offset the lack of ceiling height. As a result the proportions have always been right for intimate groups of paintings.
The Fifth Earl and Countess Spencer watching a shoot on Wimbledon Common by Sir Tamworth Wells.
Bronzes
- Either side of the chimneypiece are a pair of 19th century bronze torchères supported by The Three Graces on muted column plinths with square bases.
- Forager', a life size bronze of a famous Pytchley foxhound belonging to the Fifth Earl Spencer. By Aarian Jones, a vet, in 1893 when 'Forager' won the Foxhound Championship at Peterborough.
- Bronze of the Fifth Earl Spencer in Garter robes 1905.
- Bronze of Napoleon as First Consul 1814.
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