Soane's treasure cove

 

    Have you ever been to a treasure cove before? And what about a hoarder's house? No, I'm not saying that Sir Soane's home looks anything like it. Although, some of his peers must have thought that way.

    Right. Can you imagine thousands of artifacts (and I mean real antiquities of all art forms and sizes) inside just one house? When I say "thousands," I mean tens of thousands. Now I want you to imagine as most unique house as you can conjure up, with rooms overseeing one another through some tiny gaps in the floor, hidden ladders, narrow passages and secret shelves behind the opening wall in the Picture Room. Yes, that's right, you can see for yourself twice a day, if I'm not mistaken, the wall with lots of paintings to be swung open, like the cesame cave. What's there? More paintings, sculptures and buildings' models, of course.

    How did it all fit inside one architect's house? Actually, it's three houses: No. 12, No. 13 and No. 14. Neo-classics and art nouveau have intertwined here since Sir Soane bought, demolished and rebuilt all three, one after one. As his collection grew, new objects needed new home. And I wouldn't blame him: Seti's sarcophagus definitely deserved more space. Yes, you heard me right: remember that very beheaded mummy of the Great King, the one that is the most well-preserved? That very king with the most famous, stunningly well-preserved, one of the longest (136 meters) tomb (KV17)? Well, you have a great chance to see his mesmerising alabaster sarcophagus when you're in London for free.

    And why am I still talking and boring you with details? Let's just dive into the most unrealistic atmosphere! Take a deep breath.

Here we start.

Library-Dining room

Some bits and pieces.

Different stairs.

Windows.

Seti I sarcophagus.

If Seti was in his sarcophagus, that would be his view from it.

Basement floor.

Mirrors.

There will be a gallery.

And now let the artifacts speak.

Valentino.

The living room.

A ceiling worthy of Charles Mackintosh.

Hope you enjoyed this journey. Come and see Soane's house in London, it's absolutely free. But if you loved what you saw, please leave a small donation to help the curators and volunteers to keep this treasure cove nice and safe for next generations.