Monkton HouseWilliam Dodge James was the heir to two American fortunes when he purchased West Dean Park in Sussex for his new wife in 1900. The Willie James' were close friends of Edward II; according to prevalent rumors, Mrs. James a good bit closer than her husband. West Dean Park became the epitome of Edwardian splendor and just as quickly became a dated relic. Willy’s son, Edward, inherited the house, turning an ancillary property, Monkton House, into a surrealist dream. He lived in Monkton House for a short time with his wife, the dancer Tilly Losch.
During their time together he founded a ballet company for her and designed a famous carpet. You may remember a previous post on Diana Vreeland's Why Don't You? column, where she suggested the following:
…have a private staircase from your bedroom to the library with
a needlework carpet with notes of music worked on each step
– the whole spelling your favorite tune?
a needlework carpet with notes of music worked on each step
– the whole spelling your favorite tune?
Edward James took the same idea in a different direction (and one I like much better than the musical notes). At Monkton House there was a circular stair case from the bathroom to the master bedroom. One day, Tilly Losch ran up the stairs in her bare feet. He was so taken with her footprints on the carpet that he commissioned a replacement carpet featuring her footprints woven into the fabric.
Alas, they parted after only six months amid rumors that the marriage was unconsummated.
She said:
He was a big old homosexual.
He said:
He was more than willing, but she was too busy sleeping around.
While the marriage failed, the carpet endures.
He was a big old homosexual.
He said:
He was more than willing, but she was too busy sleeping around.
While the marriage failed, the carpet endures.
