Note 55 — Chapter IV · ToC

Mr. Aitchison, R.A., wrote: "During his visits to Rhodes, to Cairo, and Damascus, he made a large collection of lovely Saracenic tiles, and had besides bought two inscriptions, one of the most delicate colour and beautiful design, and the other sixteen feet long and strikingly magnificent, besides getting some panels, stained glass, and lattice-work from Damascus afterwards; these were fitted into an Arab Hall, something like La Zira at Palermo, in 1877."

The Arab Hall was begun November 1877, virtually completed by the end of 1879, but some small matters not till 1881. Materials—Bastard statuary, i.e. the marble columns in the angle recesses. These caps are of alabaster, designed by George Aitchison, R.A., and modelled by Sir E. Boehm. The large columns are of Caserta marble, caps of stone, birds modelled by Caldecott; column niches lined with Devonshire spar; dado, Irish black; string, Irish green, and bases of small columns. Those of the large columns are of Genoa green and Belgian blue; the marble lining behind big columns is of Pyrennean green, and the panel overhead; the lintel of Irish red. The marble work was done by White & Son, Vauxhall Bridge Road. Mosaic floor, designed by George Aitchison, R.A.; executed by Messrs. Burke & Co., who replaced fountain of white marble with the single slab of Belgian black. Chandelier, designed by G.A. Aitchison, R.A., executed by Forrest & Son, now extinct. The lattices to the lower part of the gallery designed by George Aitchison, R.A.

Sir Caspar P. Clarke wrote: "I was commissioned in 1876, by the authorities at South Kensington, to proceed to the East to buy artistic objects for the Museum. Before I started Leighton asked me, if I went to Damascus, to go to certain houses and try to effect the purchase of certain tiles. I had no difficulty in finding my market, for Leighton, with his customary precision, had accurately indicated every point about the dwellings concerned, and their treasures. I returned with a precious load, and in it some large family tiles, the two finest of which are built into the sides of the alcove of the Arab Hall. Leighton made no difficulty about the price, and insisted upon paying double what I had given. He never spoke of picking things up cheap, and scouted the idea of 'bargains in Art objects.'"