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拍品專文
William James and West Dean
William Dodge James (1854-1912) was born into an Anglo-American family whose money had come from the American timber, mining and rail industries. In 1889 James married Evelyn Forbes, the daughter of Sir Charles Forbes, Bt., and two years James bought West Dean from Frederick Bower, who himself had purchased it from the last member of the Peachey family twenty years earlier. James initially had the house altered by Ernest George and Harold Peto in 1891. The house was sumptuously furnished with a rich mix of Gothic tapestries, antique textiles, big game trophies, English, European and Oriental porcelain and works of art, Old Master pictures, English, French and Continental furniture. William James’ purchases had started in the mid-1880s and included works of art bought from the celebrated sales of Hamilton Palace in 1882 and Christopher Beckett Denison in 1885. The Jameses travelled extensively and his purchases abroad and at home through dealers and at auction continued following the acquisition of West Dean. The Jameses were great society hosts, and entertained the Prince and Princess of Wales on several occasions, both for Goodwood and for shooting parties. The future Edward VII was made godfather to Edward James, and was rumored to be his real father.
William Dodge James (1854-1912) was born into an Anglo-American family whose money had come from the American timber, mining and rail industries. In 1889 James married Evelyn Forbes, the daughter of Sir Charles Forbes, Bt., and two years James bought West Dean from Frederick Bower, who himself had purchased it from the last member of the Peachey family twenty years earlier. James initially had the house altered by Ernest George and Harold Peto in 1891. The house was sumptuously furnished with a rich mix of Gothic tapestries, antique textiles, big game trophies, English, European and Oriental porcelain and works of art, Old Master pictures, English, French and Continental furniture. William James’ purchases had started in the mid-1880s and included works of art bought from the celebrated sales of Hamilton Palace in 1882 and Christopher Beckett Denison in 1885. The Jameses travelled extensively and his purchases abroad and at home through dealers and at auction continued following the acquisition of West Dean. The Jameses were great society hosts, and entertained the Prince and Princess of Wales on several occasions, both for Goodwood and for shooting parties. The future Edward VII was made godfather to Edward James, and was rumored to be his real father.