Wall Paintings

Wall painting of a dog chasing a hare,  found on the Newel Staircase

The wall-paintings were discovered under whitewash in 1936. The most important of them are the arabesque drawings in the Mermaid Passage and on the back staircase and the figures of the Nine Worthies on the second floor. The Small Chapel is decorated with red and white drops for the blood and water of the Passion and there are also traces of medieval work.

Life-sized copies of some of the wall paintings were made by Elsie Matley Moore in the 1930′s and 40′s, they show more detail than is now preserved on the actual walls at the Hall. Elsie’s paintings are housed in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

The arabesque designs at the south end of the Mermaid Passage, from a drawing by Elsie Matley Moore.

The Nine Worthies Passage – Joshua from a drawing by Elsie Matley Moore.

The Nine Worthies Passage – David slaying Goliath, from a drawing by Elsie Matley Moore.

The Small Chapel decorated about 1600 with red and white drops for the blood and water of the Passion