This iconic design is based on the carpet commissioned by Nancy Lancaster for the saloon at Ditchley Park. Nancy Lancaster (1897-1994) was born in Virginia, and had a huge influence on interior decoration in the 20th century, due in part to her work with Colefax & Fowler, the influential British decorating firm that codified what is known as the English country house look. Nancy and her then-husband Ronald Tree purchased Ditchley Park in 1933 from a family who had occupied it for over two centuries. While much of the original interior stayed intact, Nancy Lancaster (then Nancy Tree), did make some adjustments and additions to the interiors, including the commission of the aforementioned carpet, reputedly from a prison in Portugal. The carpet can be seen in two Alexandre Serebriakoff watercolors of the Saloon at Ditchley Park. The original rug was sold at Christie’s New York, 17 October 1992, lot 133. It has slightly larger dimensions, and has since been donated back to Ditchley and can once again be found in its original home in the saloon.