The Interior of the House of Commons

DESCRIPTION: The selected region showcases a 19th-century steel-line engraving titled "The Interior of the House of Commons", published in London. This specific plate was featured in historical multi-volume compendiums printed in London around 1870, such as William Hickman Smith Aubrey's comprehensive work, The National and Domestic History of England, under the imprint of publisher J. Hagger. The artwork illustrates the Victorian-era Commons Chamber inside the Palace of Westminster following its mid-19th-century reconstruction by architect Sir Charles Barry and decorated by Augustus Pugin following the catastrophic fire of 1834 that destroyed the original medieval layout (see #5792). Key Visual Elements: It captures the prominent Speaker's Chair at the far end, rows of opposing green benches packed with Members of Parliament wearing traditional period top hats, the central clerks' table, and the heavily decorated, paneled perpendicular Gothic ceiling hanging with ornate gas chandeliers. This exact Victorian chamber no longer exists, as it was completely destroyed by enemy bombing raids during World War II in May 1941, and later rebuilt with a simplified design by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. STYLE: Engraving COLOUR: Monochrome SIZE (cm): 16.5 x 25.5 CREATORS: PUBLICATION: The National and Domestic History of England PUBLISHER: London: J Hagger DATE: C19 COMMENTS: Excellent condition with some patina from its antiquity SUBJECT: People PACKAGE: Single one-sided sheet in acid-free mount, flat & unfolded inside hard-backed envelope. Royal Mail Tracked 24 included. Note: Images are provided for illustration purposes only and are intended to show the complete printed product, including any imperfections of age that may be present. Frames or props shown in the images are for display purposes only and are not included with your purchase.