Robert Davison

Robert Davison ran the Decorative Art Studio on Marylebone Road and was responsible for the decorative stone and marble work in Two Temple Place. He had previously worked on ornate inlaid floors with John Loughborough Pearson at Truro cathedral. He was probably responsible for the stonework at Pearson’s Fitzrovia chapel although that is unattributed. The work at Two Temple Place and Fitzrovia is so like that in Cliveden where Davison is mentioned by the National Trust.

The Staircase Hall floor is of inlaid semi-precious stones and for some is the highlight of the interior. Marble, porphyry, onyx and jasper combine in complex geometrical Roman-inspired patterns, executed by Davison. Both Astor and Pearson had studied Italian historical stone floors. The fireplace in the same room is of irregularly veined marble and was also supervised by Davison. There is a historicist input from either or both of Pearson or Astor there too as Pavonazetto Carrara marble was used at Pompeii.