First Class Smoking Room on the 'Aquitania' (1914)

Interior of the passenger liner 'Aquitania' (1914) showing the First Class Smoking Room (also called Carolean Smoking Room), on the Promenade Deck (A Deck), a view looking forward. Above the mantelpiece is a full-length portrait of James II, a copy of the painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller (the original painting is in the National Portrait Gallery, London). The carvings may have been inspired by those of the Dutch wood carver Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721).

The painting on the right was inspired by 'Seaport with the Embarkation of Saint Ursula' by Claude (circa 1604-1682), in the National Gallery, London. A baroque console table and two baroque torchères are also visible. A copy of the American declaration of Independence can be seen on the right hand side of the image.

The design of the interiors on the 'Aquitania' was largely the work of Arthur Joseph Davis (1878-1951) of the architects Mewès & Davis, London. The decoration of the First Class Smoking Room was carried out by W. & E. Thornton-Smith Ltd, London.
The overall decorative scheme was said to have been inspired by a room in the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

Object Details

ID: G10883
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Bedford Lemere & Co
Vessels: Aquitania (1914)
Date made: 1914
People: John Brown & Company; Mewes & Davis
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 305 mm x 254 mm