Website: http://www.newportmansions.org/explore/marble-house
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| Marble House |
On the grounds of Marble House sits a Chinese Tea House.
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| source: http://meetings.newportmansions.org/venues.aspx?id=102 |
The Tea House was commissioned by Alva Belmont (divorced and remarried) in 1912.
It opened on July 25, 1914 with a lavish Chinese costume ball at Marble House.
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| Alva Vanderbilt, seated, second from right |
The Tea House was also used for rallies for women's suffrage. By 1919, the mansion and Tea House were permanently shuttered as Alva moved to France.
Although the Tea House is based on a 12th century Song Dynasty temple, it is more characteristic of the wave of "Oriental Exotica" that spread across North America at the turn of the 19th-20th century. Many Japanese and Chinese style gardens were being built during this period, especially by the wealthy. These gardens had Asian characteristics, but were also reflective of late Victorian early 20th century tastes. The Tea House at Marble House is a good example of this movement.
The front gateway was interesting, especially give that the plaque at the top illustrates what appears to be an example of Confucian inspired filial piety. The male figure in the center is being shown filial respect by a daughter (left) and and son (right).
