Salters Folly (formerly Nursery Farmhouse) (EHER 39050)

A 16th century timber framed house of earlier origin with an early 18th century façade of red and black brick and later alterations. Internally, the building features several elaborately decorated fireplace surrounds, one of which is said to depict the Fire of London. The building was known Salters Folly in the 18th century after its owner Harris Salter, a member of the local gentry, which may explain the heightened interior décor.

December 1959. Grade II * listed. A 16th century timber framed house of earlier origin with an early 18th century façade of red and black brick and later alterations. To the left and right are chimney stacks with attached octagonal shafts. There is a central vertically boarded door with flat canopy over. The building was known Salters Folly in the 18th century: Mr. Salter lived at Tyndales, Southend Road. The brick façade is probably by Obediah Barker, a brickmaker. Internally, the front two rooms have angled rear corner fireplaces, and that in the room to the left has a 17th century wooden moulded surround and mantel. A 'Sun Insurance' plaque which was formerly on the outside wall and dated 1774 is attached to the fireplace surround. It has a semi-circular red brick hearth and moulded gun rack over with panelled cupboard. The fireplace in the room to the right has a similar 17th century moulded surround and mantel, with moulded cornice and panelled cupboard. The panel over the fireplace is late 17th century, painted, and is alleged to depict the Fire of London, with South Bank foreground, river and flames arising from buildings on the far bank, old St. Pauls with the Tower of London to right are discernible. The rear 16th century staircase is inserted into an earlier building. The walls have 11 half height panels, each with a painting from around 1680-1715, depicting revelling Bacchi and Satyrs. Some paintings are of single figures with musical instruments, some are groups of figures with goats, sheep and bulls, one with a man faced leopard. Two figures are blowing bubbles. The paintings have been inspected by Mr. Clive Rouse and staff of the British Museum, and to date no other similar paintings are known. <1> See photos <2>. Salters Folly was originally a small timber framed one and a half storey house, of possible lobby entrance plan, built in the late 16th to early 17th century. During the late 17th century, a front two storey range with octagonal stacks was added. In conjunction with this remodelling, an usual staircase with painted panels depicting a bacchanalian procession (dated 1680-1715), was inserted into the older range. During the early 18th century the main front was rebuilt in blue glazed brick, the other three walls rebuilt in red brick to first floor level. The first floor front bedrooms retain elements of late 17th to early 18th century decoration, including a painting of possibly the Fire of London over one of the fireplaces, and reportedly an inscription (removed) of MEMENTO MORI. As this small house was too sophisticated for a small farmer, its ownership by the Harris Salter (1675), a member of the local gentry, may explain its heightened décor. In the early 18th century the house (previously called Fullers) became known as Salters Folly. It was since changed to Nursery farm, but, has latterly reverted back to Salters Folly. <3> NRHE data transfer: Nursery Farm (NAT). <4> Nursery Farm is of two storeys, timber framed and plastered with tiled roofs. It was built late in the 16th or early 17th century and has an original chimney stack. <5> July 1987. Field survey. Nursery Farm is as described internally and externally. The present owner is planning to rename the house Salter's Folly which was its name in the 18th century. <6> See also <7>.