Inside the Bizarre Surrealist House of Edward James

Who Was Edward James?

James was born into a wealthy aristocratic family and pursued a career as a poet and publisher. He traveled across Europe and mingled with elite circles. He provided financial support to artists such as Leonora Carrington, Salvador Dalí, Leonor Fini, and René Magritte during the 1930s and 1940s. Notably, James became Salvador Dalí’s leading collector in the years that followed. By the outbreak of war, James had amassed one of the most important collections of modern art in the world. He owned work by Jean Arp, Duchamp, Giacometti, Klee, Man Ray, Miró, Picasso and many more.

Watch this video by National Galleries of Scotland to understand Edward James’s way of thinking better.

The Exterior

Monkton House, located in West Dean, West Sussex, UK, stands as James’ manifestation of his deep connection and understanding of Surrealism. Following Dali’s designs for a “Surrealist house”, he painted the front door in pink and the façade in lilac. James continued with his striking Surrealist makeover by transforming the exterior with whimsical and unconventional details. He redesigned the pillars to resemble fiberglass palm trees, shaped the drain pipes to mimic bamboo sticks, and crafted window sills with plaster drapes. Adding to the eccentric design, the three chimney stacks were each uniquely irregular in shape.

The Interior

The interior of the house does not fall behind on unconventional design and unique objects. James collaborated with the British design firm Green & Abbott to bring Dalí’s furniture designs to life. Among the commissioned pieces were luxurious pink satin and red wool sofas shaped like the lips of American film star Mae West, as well as an edition of Dalí’s iconic Lobster Telephone in both red and white.

Among its distinctive features was an alabaster bathroom, illuminated by sun and moon-shaped nightlights. He also commissioned a gracefully curved staircase, but of course, with a special twist. It was covered with a custom-woven carpet featuring the footprint of his former wife, Tilly Losch. Following their separation, James replaced it with a new carpet, but this time with the footprint pattern of his beloved Irish wolfhound.

West Dean College

In 1964, James founded West Dean College, a school of the arts devoted to conservation, craft, and the preservation of knowledge. Prior to this he established the Edward James Foundation and transferred his West Dean Estate to a charitable educational trust. While Monkton House remained his private residence, James returned occasionally to oversee the loan and sale of artworks to major museums, including the Tate Modern, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam.

The Legacy

Following James’ passing in 1984, Monkton House and his private collection went to the Edward James Foundation. The house was later sold to private buyers, while a significant portion of its contents was auctioned in a landmark sale at Christie’s London, featuring more than 2,500 lots. The proceeds from the sale continue to support the endowment of West Dean College, ensuring James’s legacy in the arts and education endures for future generations.