Description

ST 70 SE MELCOMBE HORSEY BINGHAM'S MELCOMBE

10/141 26-1-56 Bingham's Melcombe
House

GV I

House, Gatehouse and hall probably of early C16 origin. Other
additions and alterations of the C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20. Walls
of rubble, banded flint and stone, ashlar and 'chequerboard' stone
and flint. Gable ended roofs of stone slate and tile with a variety
of ashlar and brick stacks. Plan: informal grouping around a court-
yard; the north range contains the hall with an oriel flanked by two
wings; the east part of the south range is formed by the gatehouse;
connecting the gatehouse with the hall are a sequence of service and
other rooms of various builds. Mainly of 2 storeys. The windows
are mainly stone mullioned or C18 sashes. The most important
architectural feature of the house is the mid C16 oriel of early
rennaissance pattern. This has elaborate corner standards of 3 stages
with individualistic ionic capitals,and spiral-turned pinnacles bearing
eagle crests. The centre-piece which incorporates the upper floor
window is finely carved and has a central achievement of arms flanked
by side standards which project beyond the gable coping and terminate
in spiral turned pinnacles. It is regarded as one of the best examples
of the regional group of mason-sculptors probably based in Ham active
at the period. The north porch has a pedimented, early classical
doorway, dated 1583, rescued from Tyneham House. Interior features:
C17 and C18 panelling in various locations; gatehouse has arch-braced
collar truss roof and an elaborate C17 overmantle with carved figures;
hall largely remodelled, C19 but retains an C18 moulded cornice and
4-centred arch to oriel with moulded responds and foliate capitals;
oriel has fireplace with triangular head and foliate spandrels, 2 C16
doors with 4-centred heads and foliate spandrels, and upper floor C16
fireplace with moulded lintel and jambs together with an original
plaster barrel vault ceiling; dinning room has mid C18 chimney piece
with side-scrolls, carved mask and foliage, c1600 elaborate overmantle
with carved 'Adam and Eve figures, c 1600 moulded rib ceiling, original
looking-glasses with carved frames and 'hangings'; east wing has early
C18 black marble, bolection moulded chimney piece, bolection moulded
panelling, contemporary looking glass, c 1725 staircase with turned
balusters and newels and moulded remaped handrail; west range has C16/
C17 doors, C16 panelling, C16 overmantle with roundels and arch braced
collar beam truss with remains of painted decoration; south range has
original open fireplaces and stop-chamfered beams. Various other
lesser examples of wood and masonry craftsmanship from a number of
periods (see RCHM for details)
RCHM, Dorset, vol III, pp 163-168, no 2, Newman, J and Pevsner, N
The Buildings of England: Dorset, Penguin, 1972, pp 278-281

Listing NGR: ST7716702143

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17533466

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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