20/08/2026
Introducing our new Visitor Experience Manager, Jenny, through one of her favourite features in the house: the paterae â¨
âI first saw them on the website, displayed in a Highland Toffee Tin and I was captivated by them. I had no idea what they were!
After I started volunteering at David Parr House in 2018, I soon learned that these small treasures are gilded ornaments that can come in all different shapes and sizes and they adorn the walls in Davidâs Drawing Room, embellishing his painted dado design.
From my first day, I made a point to find out as much as I could about them. It turns out that they can be made from plaster and also lead. Luckily, the ones in the house are plaster.
Produced in a mould, some of which are in our collection here, we have various types: some Tudor rose-shaped paterae and some sunflower ones, which are my personal favourite.
It seems David carefully placed the paterae, as they donât go all the way around the walls. We think David and his wife Mary must have had a piece of furniture against the wall where the rose patarae are not present.
I find it fascinating that David would have seen thousands of paterae in his lifetime and he must have loved them to use so many in his own decorative schemes. There are so many beautiful details in Davidâs home but, being three dimensional, the paterae are like tiny jewels that shine in the dappled sunshine. I like to imagine how they would have glistened in the familyâs candlelit evenings too.â
Jenny brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having previously worked as a Volunteer Officer at Imperial War Museum, Duxford. She first began volunteering at David Parr House in 2018, helping with textile cataloguing while the house was undergoing restoration.
Weâre delighted to welcome Jenny into her new role and look forward to sharing more of her knowledge and enthusiasm for the house with you. â¨
