History
Government House
Main Floor - Salon III
The rear drawing room, now known as Salon
III, continues to serve its original purpose. Folding
doors once closed it off from the adjoining room, now
Salon II. The fireplace area is the focal point of Salon
III where Their Honours often meet visiting dignitaries.Salon
III serves as the "crossroads" of the residence,
leading into the Ballroom on the west end and the Dining
Rooms on the south side of the House.
Recently, the blue carpets that covered
all three salons were lifted to find original wood floors.
- Suite consisting of Settee, Side Chair and
Arm Chair - circa 1910-15 - mahogany and
probably machine carved. A number of factories in
America and Eastern Canada employed talented craftsmen
to custom make furniture of a fine calibre. They
developed a delicate design combining the French
cabriole leg with a mix of other designs. The scale
was light, the fabrics delicate.
- Oval Table - circa 1880-90 - walnut.
The oval shape was a great favourite and frequently
topped by decorative embroidered, tatted or lace runners.
The carved pedestal and stretcher with incised carving
on legs and claw.
- Wing-Back Chairs were made for this
room, and are slightly smaller than usual.
- Sheer Drapes, reminiscent of Victorian
lace curtains, were made in France.
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- Oval Table - feet are most typical of
this period. The brass casters are the original.
- Arm Chair - beautiful example of early
Victorian - 1840-60. It is mahogany with carved cabriole
legs.
- Display Table, circa 1900 - a favorite
design of French and/or Italian deviation. Finish not the
original.
- Ceramic Sculpture - "Emmett" - by Joe
Fafard - 1976 - Now living in Pense, Saskatchewan.
Joe Fafard studied art at University of Manitoba School
of Art, then in New York at Penn State. Has worked and
taught in both eastern and western Canada. Has given up
teaching to sculpt full time. Fafard has gained an international
reputation for his lovable cows and for his ceramic portraits.
He sculpts people he has an empathy with, neighbours and
friends. The sculptures look unmistakably like their real
life models coupled with Fafard's own shrewd insight and
artist's touch. "Emmett" was an old bachelor
and neighbour of the sculptor in Pense. The comedian, Bill
Cosby, after seeing "Emmett" on a visit to Government
House, now has three sculptures of himself which he commissioned
the artist to create.

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larger image.

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larger image.