Rose Hanbury, who’s been given the brutal nickname of Camilla 2.0, is currently a trending topic, which means she’s bearing the brunt of social media’s ire. However, Houghton Hall, along with much of the art and furniture at the center of the rumors actually passed down through her husband’s side of the family. The Marquis’ grandmother, Sybil Sassoon, had ties to the art world that would’ve made it possible to acquire such pieces, per Vanity Fair. Whether that came through purchase or other unseemly methods is unknown. However, Time mentioned that the Sassoon family, who gained their wealth by trading opium and other valuables, peaked during China’s Century of Humiliation, which saw the country robbed of many of its valuable possessions.
According to the Frist Art Museum, which has an exhibit dedicated to Houghton Hall — which was first built by Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister — Sybil Sassoon filled the home with artwork in the 1900s. She acquired the pieces through relationships with notable artists and her art-collecting brother, Sir Phillip Sassoon, who lived from 1888 until 1939. According to London Remembers, Phillip had an affinity for English and French 18th-century art, although he also appreciated other art forms. So far, there’s been no word on how the Sassoon family acquired the rumored Chinese artifacts in the photos, so the allegations of looting and unfair trading made on social media may be justified.
