Deconstructing the George Trollope Room Suite – Paris Exhibition 1878

This film documents the careful deconstruction of the celebrated George Trollope & Sons cedar-panelled boudoir room, originally exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1878 where it won the Gold Medal for Excellence. Considered one of the firm’s most important surviving works, the suite embodies the height of Trollope’s architectural decoration and cabinet-making during the late 19th century.

The room forms a complete four-sided interior lined with finely carved cedar panels, Corinthian-style columns, mirrored sections, bookcases, French doors and, at its centre, a grand Rosso Antico marble fireplace surmounted by an open display niche. Originally presented with tapestries illustrating Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock, the suite reflects Trollope’s sophisticated interpretation of early Queen Anne design filtered through the tastes and expectations of the 1878 Exhibition.

This behind-the-scenes video captures the precision, structural understanding and care required to dismantle an architectural room of this scale, offering rare insight into the construction methods, panel layouts, and craftsmanship that defined Trollope’s reputation. Filmed during the recent removal of the suite, it preserves a remarkable chapter in British decorative arts history.

Explore the George Trollope Room Suite

Learn more about the fully documented cedar-panelled boudoir room exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1878, complete with its Rosso Antico marble fireplace and carved cedar architectural framework:

View the George Trollope 1878 Paris Exhibition Room Suite

Explore the LAPADA Fair 2024 Collection

Browse the full collection of pieces showcased at the LAPADA 50th Anniversary Fair, including the Trollope suite and other rare period works selected for this landmark event:

View the LAPADA Fair 2024 Collection