The portrait of Sir Giuseppe Maria de Piro G.C.M.G., 4th Baron of Budach is by Charles Allingham. The 4th Baron was the first Maltese man to command a British regiment. His military commission hangs under his portrait. His wife Antonia Moscati Gatto Xara, Baroness of Benwarrad was also painted by Allingham. The small 18th century portrait of the baby (this may have been a boy) has been attributed to the painter Antoine Favray whose self-portrait you have seen in the Sala Grande. The Maltese gentleman in blue uniform is General Michele Sceberras Testaferrata. He wears the Royal Bavarian Order of St George about his neck. The decoration was given to him by Maximilian I Joseph first King of Bavaria. He was entrusted with the education of the Crown Prince and was Chamberlain to the Royal Court of Bavaria. Fabrizio Sceberras Testaferrata the Maltese cardinal was his elder brother. The portrait above is of a young Igino de Piro, 7th Baron of Budach. He is wearing his red British Army uniform. He fought at the famous Siege of Ladysmith in the South African Boer War of 1899-1901.
The colourful blown-glass chandelier is Venetian and was made for candles. The carved console tables are 18th century Maltese.
The colourful blown-glass chandelier is Venetian and was made for candles. The carved console tables are 18th century Maltese.
