Clare House

EAST MALLING & LARKFIELD CLARE LANE TQ 65 NE (north side) 7/152 1.8.52 Clare House

• I

House. 1793 for John Larking by Michael Starles of Blackheath. Stuccoed brick with wide-spreading boxed eaves to slate roof. Trilobed plan with central square block flanked by two octagonal bays, fronted by bow with concentric two- storey loggia. 2 storeys; 3 bays in ends of lobes, single bays in sides of flanking lobes and in revealed corners of square central box. Glazing bar sashes windows, with projecting sills on 1st floor, lengthened to ground level below. 2 doorways with architrave surrounds and shallow flat hoods on brackets in bays flanking central bow. Bowed loggia on attenuated Tuscan columns carry- ing entablature and 1st floor loggia. Doubled iron supports with cast-iron sup- ports with cast-iron railings carrying lead-carved awning with decorated fringe. Bowed roof above with low stacks at angles behind, in front of lead-carved dome. Large square block added to rear, circa 1814, including a conservatory project- ing to left at rear. INTERIOR: Central circular 2-storey top-lit stairwell. Stair with two-lights and intermediate landing, iron balustrade and wooden hand- rail, leading up around the rear of the stairwell, anti-clockwise. Drawing-room: Oval with moulded decorated plaster cornice. Peer glasses inset between windows with reeded surrounds and swagged tops. Marble pilastered fire surround. Dining room: Stretched octagon. Decorated moulded plaster cornice. Arched recesses either side of door with composite columns and gilded capitals. Marble pilastered fire surround. Library: Moulded plaster cornice. Black marble fire surround in quasi-Egyptian style. Halls: Moulded decorative plaster cornice. 1st floor: Various moulded decorative plaster cornices and moulded wooden fire surrounds. Sources: Country Life, CVI, September 16th & 23rd, 1949.

Listing NGR: TQ6945757738