Inside Ascott House

A Cat Shaped Night Light

This cat dates from the Qing (pronounced ‘ching’) dynasty (1644-1912 CE), and most likely from the Kangxi reign 1690 – 1722.

The enamels were painted directly onto the baked clay, and repeated black brush strokes were used to suggest the cat’s fur.

The cat is resting on its haunches but has just woken and turned its head to look at us with its eyes wide.  A candle would be placed inside of the body, so that the eyes would glow as the room grew dark.  At the time, people felt that this would frighten the rats away.  The hole on the cat’s back lets out heat and smoke.

Anthony de Rothschild bought this piece from a dealer in London in 1918 when he was aged 30.  Usually, it can be seen in the Porcelain Room at Ascott.

The House at Ascott is full of treasures, however, we have pulled together a list of ten outstanding pieces that are not to be missed.  You can print or download the list if it would help you to find them all.

View here

Discover a beloved family home transformed from a humble farmhouse, the ultimate country house escape. As you enter the historic house, turn back to spot 1606 carved into the beam, thought to be the date of the original farmhouse.

Marvel at showpiece artworks, hand-stencilled wallpaper and the magnificent views over Aylesbury Vale from the Hall. The Stubbs painting over the fireplace reflects the Rothschild family’s love of horse racing.

Look out for the impressive trompe l’oeil tiled-effect wallpaper, the striking famille verte Chinese plate depicting the traditional game of pitch-pot and a collection of paintings by celebrated Dutch masters, including Aelbert Cuyp.

Look up to find the many mottoes carved beneath the ceiling in the light-filled common room and admire the tranquil views and paintings, including Rubens ‘Madonna and Child’.

Explore the historic house’s impressive collection of ancient fahua ware, best seen on the wine jars and the large dragon temple vase. A piece in the bay window dates back to 600 AD, echoing a bygone era in Chinese burial tradition.

The library’s ‘room of knowledge’ theme is marked by a reduction of Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’ and a marble statuette of Voltaire. Spot Gainsborough’s portrait of Lady May Bruce and Tang Dynasty Mingqi ‘Spirit good’ figure of a dancing girl, amongst the shelves of beautifully bound books, including several first editions.

A book spine-clad secret door leads to the Library Passage, lined with ceramics including burial pottery from the Han (206 BC–220 AD) and Tang (618–07 AD) dynasties, vases from the 17th–18th century of the Qing dynasty and burial equipment, tomb guardians and gods.

Immerse yourself in the welcoming surrounds of Ascott House and imagine living within its walls as you explore the historic house and collections at your own pace on this cultural day out near the capital. 

Leading through 5 ground-floor rooms of Ascott House, our team of volunteers is on hand to answer any questions and point out some of the house’s more unusual features.