Ante Room
Originally called the Little Eating Parlour, this was used by the Spencer's as their own private dining room when the House was built but now owes its name and function to the alterations made by Henry Holland for the Second Earl in the 1790's.
The apsidal alcove, a beautiful design inspired from the Temple of Venus in Rome, had originally been intended by Vardy for a buffet or sideboard but, in 1792, the room became the chief access to the ground floor circuit through the Library and Dining Room and Holland inserted a large pair of mahogany double doors below the apse. Vardy's ceiling, cornice and diagonal coffering of the apse survived Holland's changes and can be seen today.
