Rossetti's Chelsea Menagerie

This is where artist Dante Rosetti lived with his exotic zoo.

Location: 16 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea

Description: Home of painter/poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti in the 1870's, who infamously kept whatever exotic animals he could lay his hands on in his wild garden. He imported a zebu bull which shortly after arriving attacked it's owner. His armadillo escapd and broke into his neighbours house who thought it was the devil. He tried salamanders, marmots and wombats but not many survived the British climate. He famously annoyed his neighbours so much with one set of additions that his landlord added a clause into all future tenant contracts that 'No peacocks are allowed'.

Themes: Art Art Theme