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Government House
Main Floor - Salon III
The rear drawing room, now known as Salon III, continues
to serve its original purpose. Folding doors once closed it off
from the adjoining room, now Salon II. The fireplace area is the
focal point of Salon III where Their Honours often meet visiting dignitaries.
Salon III serves as the "crossroads" of the residence, leading
into the Ballroom on the west end and the Dining Rooms on the south side
of the House.
Recently, the blue carpets that covered all three salons
were lifted to find original wood floors.
- Suite consisting of Settee, Side Chair and Arm Chair - circa
1910-15 - mahogany and probably machine carved. A number of factories
in America and Eastern Canada employed talented craftsmen to custom
make furniture of a fine calibre. They developed a delicate design combining
the French cabriole leg with a mix of other designs. The scale was light,
the fabrics delicate.
- Oval Table - circa 1880-90 - walnut. The oval shape was a great
favourite and frequently topped by decorative embroidered, tatted or
lace runners. The carved pedestal and stretcher with incised carving
on legs and claw.
- Wing-Back Chairs were made for this room, and are slightly
smaller than usual.
- Sheer Drapes, reminiscent of Victorian lace curtains, were
made in France.
- Oval Table - feet are most typical of this period. The brass
casters are the original.
- Arm Chair - beautiful example of early Victorian - 1840-60.
It is mahogany with carved cabriole legs.
- Hanging on northeast wall opposite the Ballroom entrance is an ancient
form of Knotting. The artist is Leona Billingkoff of Manitoba
and it presents an interpretation of the present day in an art form
predating modern man.
- Display Table, circa 1900 - a favorite design of French and/or
Italian deviation. Finish not the original.
- Ceramic Sculpture - "Emmett" - by Joe Fafard - 1976
- Now living in Pense, Saskatchewan. Joe Fafard studied art at University
of Manitoba School of Art, then in New York at Penn State. Has worked
and taught in both eastern and western Canada. Has given up teaching
to sculpt full time. Fafard has gained an international reputation for
his lovable cows and for his ceramic portraits. He sculpts people he
has an empathy with, neighbours and friends. The sculptures look unmistakably
like their real life models coupled with Fafard's own shrewd insight
and artist's touch. "Emmett" was an old bachelor and neighbour
of the sculptor in Pense. The comedian, Bill Cosby, after seeing "Emmett"
on a visit to Government House, now has three sculptures of himself
which he commissioned the artist to create.
Back to Government House
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Salon III
Salon III
"Emmett" - Ceramic Sculpture by Joe Fafard
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History
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