Tragic love affair

© NTPL / John Hammond

Her lover Antony dead, Cleopatra presses a poisonous snake to her breast to take her own life... The Leather Gallery's six magnificent leather wall hangings, arguably the world's finest collection, tell Antony and Cleopatra's doomed love story in bright oils, burnished silver leaf and fine detail.

The hangings are probably 17th-century Dutch. They were first hung at Dunster some time between 1705 and 1741, and cut up and shuffled to fit the wall space. This explains why the first panel in the room, bizarrely, shows the lovers' deaths.

Please note: due to the castle re-roofing project, the hangings will be covered during 2007. You can find out more about the project during your visit by asking our room stewards and reading the interpretation panels. The hangings will be back on display in 2008.

A Tudor allegory

© NTPL / John Hammond

This portrait of Sir John Luttrell (c1518/9-51), in the Inner Hall, is one of the most unusual of all Tudor images. Sir John is shown shaking his fist at a woman bearing an olive branch - perhaps showing his opposition to a 1550 peace treaty with France?

Sir John had also fought in bitter campaigns in Scotland. The storm-tossed ship behind him may be the ‘Mary of Hamburg’ which was badly damaged in a storm while evacuating Sir John and his men. The painting is a copy of a Hans Eworth 1550 original.

Towering glory

© NTPL / Bill Batten

A flowing pattern of acanthus leaves will sweep your gaze up the oak and elm staircase in the Hall. Its balustrade is one of Dunster's treasures. Pick out carved details including the Charles II silver shillings on the third panel, issued in 1683-4, from which the carving can be dated.

Each balustrade panel is carved from a single plank of elm 23cm thick and, most likely, the work of the accomplished Edward Pearce the Younger. Originally the balustrade was painted grey and embellished with silver leaf.