A
great example of the decoratively carved molding
from the Olympic's first-class grand staircase.
Made from quarter-cut English oak, this frieze
was installed near the ceiling level of the first-class
staircase foyers.
This piece has been stripped to show the various
layers of paint that was applied during Olympic's
time. When built it was natural dark oak then
later it was painted green, wiped over (antiqued,
if you will) with an amber tone. Carved areas
with relief were then dry-brushed/highlighted
with gold paint. Lastly it was painted an antique
white.
This
particular oak carving seems to have come from
lot 3521 as noted in Catalogue of Messrs. Knight,
Frank & Rutley's ninth day sale of the R.M.S.
Olympic at Jarrow Docks, Friday November 15, 1935.
It was purchased by Smith and Walton paint makers
and installed in Akzo Nobel Paint works in Haltwhistle.