‘The Egyptian Hall’ appears regularly in older plans and inventories as being the family Dining Room. One of the oldest parts of the Tudor house, it was given its painted ceiling during Ralph Montagu’s alterations. Appropriately, the ceiling shows the Triumph of Bacchus and Ariadne who can be seen drawn by leopards and goats in their respective gold and silver chariots surrounded by companions who include the drunken Silenus, riding on his rather unfortunate Ass.
Egyptian Hall ceiling

The room’s curious name refers to an antiquities club known as the Egyptian Society, formed in the 1740’s and chaired by Lord Sandwich, a cousin of the 2nd Duke of Montagu. The club would sometimes hold its meetings and dinners here, hosted by the Duke.

There are several 16th and 17th Century portraits, some of Montagus and their relations, by unidentified English artists.

The full length portrait of
Thomas Savile, 1st Earl of Sussex, is by Cornelius Johnson (1593-1661).
"The Adoration of the Shepherds." An early masterpiece by 'El Greco' (Domenico Theotocopoulos,1541-1614).

The oak refectory table is 16th Century; upon it are two 18th Century Spinning Wheels.

The model bridge was made, in 1745, from the design by William Stukeley to take the main drive over the River Ise in the Park. It is thought to be the only eighteenth Century model of a garden building to survive.

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