Anonymous

“ At one end a triple fireplace, extending almost across the entire width of the room, is surmounted by a frieze by Bitter, “The Return From The Chase.” High above the frieze are grouped the flags of the great powers of Europe at the time Columbus discovered America.
The outstanding objects of interest in the Banquet Hall are five sixteenth century tapestries depicting the story of Vulcan and the loves of Venus and Mars. ”

“ By many, the great estate surrounding the mansion is believed to be the finest example of landscape design in America.
The visitor can profitably study the exterior of the mansion before passing through the main portal. ”

“ From the Print Room visitors enter the Tapestry Gallery. Covering almost the entire 90-foot length of the walls are Flemish tapestries of the late fifteenth century, depicting Prudence, Faith and Charity. On the left of the first fireplace is a sofa in French tapestry of Henry III period, late sixteenth century; the six tapestry chairs in the center of the gallery are Louis XIV. Four chairs and the sofa under the middle tapestry are of Louis XIV period. ”

“ From the Court of Palms the visitor enters the Oak Drawing Room, panelled in Norwegian oak. Most of the engravings hanging here are after paintings by Landseer. Heads of deer, buffalo, moose, and bear also adorn the walls. The three bronzes over the fireplace are by Barye, while on the bookcase at the left are four Chinese Celadon vases. The Spanish table in the center is of late eighteenth century origin, as is the writing desk facing the entrance. ”

“ Over the fireplace hangs an Italian tapestry, of the late seventeenth century. Two white porcelain vases of eighteenth century, three large Chinese goldfish bowls, credited to the Ming dynasty, and a piece of sixteenth century Spanish embroidery on the long table at the end of the room, are other rare objects of interest. The carved black marble fireplace on the left is nine feet wide and six feet high ”

“ The estate, with its 17 miles of paved and macadam roads, and 120 miles of equestrian trails and earth roads, gives employment to more than 500 people, the greater number of these being engaged in the operation of the Biltmore Dairy Farms and kindred activities. ”