That’s Not My Name - Tracy Satchwill, Artist in Residence
Drawing on Normanby Hall's objects, furniture and interior, artist-in-residence Tracy Satchwill brings together a selection of films, large scale collages and AR experiences in her first major solo exhibition. Satchwill's show reflects on the role, status, and identity of female domestic servants, in which maids intermingle with high-status objects and elaborate patterns. Satchwill says, "In 'That's Not My Name', I wanted to explore the contrast between beauty and splendour and the female domestic servant, bringing them to the forefront and communicating their visibility and significance".
Henry Holgate Healey, 1813.
He lived at Ashby Decoy Cottage. He is 29 years old in this painting. He is buried in his family vault at St Lawrence's Church in Frodingham, Scunthorpe.
Charles Sheffield of Butterwick by A. Ramsey, 1741.
Domestic staff at Normanby Hall, c1936-1938
L-R: Bob Atkinson, the Odd-Man; Joan Keable (née Coles), a Housemaid; and Leonard Newell, the First Footman.
Domestic staff in the grounds of Normanby Hall, 1926.
Third from the left on the back row is Lizzie Aldridge, Charwoman and bread maker. Second from the left on the middle row is Miss Richardson, the sewing help.
Table for an Unknown Embroiderer by Kate Noakes
To accompany The International Country House exhibition in 2021, artist Kate Noakes up-cycled this 19th century Pembroke tea table. She took inspiration from the embroidery on the fire screen in front of the fireplace.
'The Works of Lucian' Volume I and II, From the Greek, by Thomas Francklin, D.D., 1780. These books belonged to Sir John Sheffield, 2nd Baronet (1743-1815), at his London residence at St James' Square. At the time, the street was one of the most fashionable in London.Lucian of Samosata (c125 – after 180) was an ancient Greek satirical writer who wrote in a sarcastic style. He ridiculed people's religious, superstitious, and paranormal beliefs, as well as public figures and general human behaviour.
Mrs Bennet of Edinburgh by a British School, c1830.
Nancy
Mrs Charles Young by Sir John Watson-Gordon, c1830-1835.
Library
The family used the library to house their collection of books, as well as using the space for letter writing and playing card games. It functioned as an informal living room, where men and women could sit at ease with each other. The library was also a place where artworks and antiquities could be displayed, discussed and admired.
Rev. Thomas Lodington D.D., c1700.
He was the Rector of Fleet near Holbeach.
John Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave, 1688.
John Sheffield, Marquis of Normanby, 1710.
This is a posthumous portrait, painted after the baby's death in 1710.
Bell board, c1932-1963.
This bell board showed the servants when their assistance was required by a member of the Sheffield family.
Entrance Hall
When Normanby Hall was first built between 1825 and 1830, this large space was divided in two by a curtain wall. The section towards the front door was described as the vestibule, and the section towards the fireplace was the entrance hall.The purpose of the entrance hall was to welcome and impress guests. Loueden's Encyclopedia of the 1830s specified that the entrance hall must be large and handsome.Sir Berkeley Sheffield decided to remove the curtain wall in 1906 as part of improvements to the house. It was replaced with these hollow classical columns, creating one large entrance hall. This change made the entrance hall brighter and more welcoming to guests.
Study
Unlike the library, which was a family room, the study was the room belonging solely to the master of the house. In a document from 1832 it is described as 'Sir Robert's room'. This was the room where he carried out his personal business, especially relating to being the landlord of extensive property.
Sheffield Bar
Idleness is a Great Source of Evil
Mrs Alice Wood of Liverpool by Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1829.
The Honourable Mrs Beresford, by Sidney Wilson, 1911. After
Oak architect’s table, c1816.
A label written in an old style states, "This table belonged to The Princess Charlotte of Wales and was bought at the sale at Marlborough House 1834".
Drawing Room
The family used the drawing room to receive visitors during the day. The lady of the house could also use it to entertain the female guests whilst the men were out hunting. The women occupied their time with reading, sewing, embroidery, music and art as well as writing letters.
Black leading powder, c1910-1919.
Queen Adelaide (1792-1849).
Engraved by S W Reynolds in 1832, after a painting by A Horton.
John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham and Normanby.
Costume Gallery
Some of North Lincolnshire Museums' extensive costume collection is displayed here in an exhibition that changes each season.
Roles and Duties
The Housekeeper was the highest-ranking female servant, running the household.The Butler was the highest-ranking male servant, in charge of the male servants.
1. Hospital Blues 2. Sir Berkeley Sheffield's kit bag
Mahogany chest night commode, c1795.
Bust of Dionysis, the Greek god of wine.
1. Medical books, c1914-1918 2. Hospital book, 1914-1919 3. Louisa Denton's napkin ring, c1882 4. Clara Spilman's autograph book, c1916-1918 5. Photographs, c1914-1919 6. Military badges, c1916-1917 7. Charles Harrison's rail pass, 1917 8. Charles Harrison's passport, 1917 9. Identification plate (replica) 10. Part of waterproof torch, c1944 11. Tea ration, c1944 12. Air column base, c1944 13. Lower section of driver's periscope, c1944 14. Edwin Luther's belt, c1939 15. Kenneth Sills' dress medals, c1945
Life Below Stairs gallery
Storm at Whitby by Henry Moore, 1870
Sheffield Lounge
Mahogany writing slope, c1809-1815.
This belonged to Rev. Sir Robert Sheffield, 3rd Baronet, who held the title for just three weeks until he died in 1815. The title passed to his son, Sir Robert Sheffield, 4th Baronet, who was responsible for building this house.
King William IV (1765-1837).
White Lotuses, by Tracy Satchwill, 2022
The First Earl of Londesborough by Herman G. Herkommer, 1900.
Bath, 1906.
The bath is so big that there was a set of wooden steps to assist the bather in and out.
Mahogany fire screen with silk panels, c1810-1820.
This fire screen is original to Normanby Hall. It was sold by the Sheffield family to a third party when the Hall was leased to the council in 1964. In 2019, it returned to Normanby Hall.
Matthew Pearson of Selby, c1830.
He was MP and Coroner of Selby.
Mahogany longcase clock, c1800-1820.
Above the dial is a quintet in 18th century costume. This played a Mozart composition every third hour. This clock is original to the house.
Chandelier
The crystal chandelier at the top of the stairs is unusual as it includes blue Bristol glass. The 'Prince of Wales' feathers at the top of the chandelier sit above a crystal pineapple. The pineapple was a symbol of hospitality and extravagance as it was so difficult to grow.
The Cottage by John Constable, 1810.
At the time this was painted, Constable was relatively unknown. It was not until 1819 that he was made an Associate Member of the Royal Academy.
Mahogany breakfront library bookcase, c1810.
This was made by Gillows of Lancaster.
Normanby at War
Between 1914 and 1919, Normanby Hall was turned into an Auxiliary Hospital, caring for convalescing soldiers during the First World War. Normanby Park Auxiliary Hospital cared for 1,248 patients. During the Second World War, Normanby Hall was used as a base for several army units, including the Water Assault Wing, who were secretly testing amphibious tanks on the River Trent at Burton upon Stather.
Portrait of a lady, attributed to Theodore Russell (1614-1689).
Dining Room
When the family was entertaining, guests gathered in the drawing room before evening dinner. In the country dinner was usually served at 6pm, in contrast to a later dinner of 8pm if the family were in London. Dinner was a grand occasion and the women would start to get dressed for it by about 4pm.
Menu cards, c1930-1939.
These menu cards were kept by Alice Locke, who was a kitchen maid at Normanby Hall.
Empire Falls by Timorous Beasties
For 'The International Country House' exhibition in 2020, design company Timorous Beasties produced new curtains to replace the old silk curtains in the Library. Years of wear and sunlight had heavily damaged the old curtains, leaving them brittle, faded and torn. Timorous Beasties created a brand new design, resurrecting this torn and frayed fabric as a decorative motif. Emerging from the exquisite hand-printed fabric are images of decorative motifs and objects found in Normanby Hall.
Rosewood games tables, c1810.
They have rectangular swivel tops. These tops unfold to show hollow interiors lined with green baize. This is known as a 'games well'.
Sandalwood dwarf linen presses, c1800-1830.
These were made by Gillows of Lancaster in the Chinoiserie style.
Regency Dining Room
1. Silver cruet set, c1831-1832. 2. Silver punch ladle with whalebone handle, 1745. 3. Pair of silver wine coolers, c1820. 4. Pair of silver Empire style candelabra, c1820.
Reading chair, c1840.
This chair was reputedly made for Sir Robert Sheffield, 4th Baronet. It has an adjustable book rest and candle holder. On 29 September 1838, Sir Robert was out shooting with a friend in Flixborough. He thought he had fired both barrels of his gun, but one of them hung fire. When he put his ramrod in the barrel, the contents exploded and 'blew off' the fingers of his right hand. He was brought back to Normanby Hall, where his hand was amputated at the wrist. The adjustable nature of the book rest and candle holder would have assisted Sir Robert after his life-changing injury.
Grotesque dinner service
Chatelaine, 20th century.
Dutch Interior, attributed to Jane Steen, c1600-1699.
Portrait of a gentleman, by Tilly Kettle (1734-1786).
Emperor Otho by Peter Paul Rubens, c1620-1629.
Otho is one of a series that depicts the first twelve Roman Emperors. Otho assassinated the previous Emperor, and was only Emperor himself for 95 days. He wore a toupée and, to help stop the growth of his beard, he applied a poultice of moist bread at night. The series of twelve paintings became separated over time. Nine have been identified but three remain missing.
The Tailor by Alexander Austen (1859-1924).
Three portraits, attributed to John Russell, c1785-1795.
They show Anne Chaplin, Mary Benton and Frances May Hannam (mother, daughter-in-law and granddaughter respectively) of Barton upon Humber.
Mary Magdalene receiving the wafer from the Angels, attributed to Francisco Trevisani, c1720.
The Cobbler by Alex Austen (1859-1924).
Bifurcated staircase
The staircase is large for the size of this house. It is called a 'bifurcated' staircase, as it splits halfway up. Cast iron columns support the continuous mahogany rail. Cast iron was popular in the Regency period for use as a decorative material in houses.
Dumb waiter, c1750-1790.
The two lower trays turn and this allowed people to serve themselves tea or coffee. Using a dumb waiter meant that there were no servants in the room to overhear any secrets.
Sophia Charlotte, Lady Sheffield, by Sidney Wilson. After a portrait by Thomas Gainsborough.
Bathroom
Before the extensions to the Hall, which took place between 1905 and 1907, this room was Sir Sheffield's dressing room, and the room next door was his bedroom. This room was converted into a bathroom in 1906. Sir Berkeley and Lady Julia moved into the brand-new east wing, with bigger rooms and their own bathroom.
Afternoon apron, c1900.
Ethel Langford wore this when she worked as a housemaid at Normanby Hall.
Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots, painted by an English School c1800.
Theseus and Ariadne, attributed to Richard Westall, c1810.
Mahogany bidet, c1800-1899.
Lord Edmund Sheffield, 1st Earl of Mulgrave (1565 – 1646), painted in the manner of Robert Peake.
Laundry hampers, c1905-1940.
The servants would have collected Sir Berkeley and Lady Julia Sheffield's used clothing and transported it to the laundry in these wheeled hampers.
Mahogany hunting table, c1790-1810.
The table is designed for men to warm their legs by the fire after hunting. The decanters sit on a coaster fitted to a track so that it can be moved from one end of the table to the other.
Bedroom
Before the extensions to the Hall, which took place between 1905 and 1907, Lady Sheffield's bedroom and dressing room were where the costume galleries are now. This room was Sir Sheffield's bedroom and the room next door was his dressing room. That dressing room was converted into a bathroom in 1906. Sir Berkeley and Lady Julia moved into the brand-new east wing, with bigger rooms and their own bathroom.
Italianate landscape, by Benjamin Barker of Bath (1776-1838)
Welcome to Normanby Hall
The Normanby estate has belonged to the Sheffield family since 1589. This house was built between 1825 and 1830, in the Regency period. Click on the circles on the floor to move around the ground and first floors. Hover over the hotspots to discover more about the rooms and the objects.
Portrait of a Gentleman (Cleric), attributed to Edward Bower, 1681.
John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby by Sir Godfrey Kneller, c1700-1712. John Sheffield is the father of the baby in the posthumous portrait. This painting also shows his wife Catherine, Duchess of Buckingham and one of their children.
Grand pianoforte, 1839.
It was made by Erard in London and is original to the house.
Death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte, 1821.
Napoleon died on 5th May 1821 and the original death mask was created two days later. This cast was taken from that death mask.
The Hon. Mrs. Lambert, attributed to Mrs Anne Killegrew (1600-1685). Frances Lambert was the mistress of John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham. She was mother to Charles Sheffield.
1. Regimental cap badges 2. Gordon Highlanders uniform
Scrubbing brush, 20th century.
Towel rail, 1906.
Arthur Herbert, the Earl of Torrington by John Baptist Closterman, c1700.
Two Little Parrots, by Tracy Satchwill, 2022
Cap, c1918-1939.
Ivy Richardson wore this cap when she worked at Normanby Hall.
Calm at Scarborough by Henry Moore, 1870
Bracket clock in a mahogany case by James Tupman of London, c1800. It has a repeater mechanism which chimes the last hour passed when pulled. Video:
Mr G. F. Brunyee of Eastoft, 1860s.
This case shows items relating to the Sheffield family of Normanby Hall.
Sphinx Sofa by Ian Kirkpatrick
To accompany 'The English International Country House' exhibition in 2020, artist Ian Kirkpatrick made a decadent and decorative seating sculpture in the shape of an Egyptian sphinx. He used designs and motifs found in the interiors and furniture of Normanby Hall as inspiration for the shape and the decorative embroidered patches.
