A part of Britain’s black history Schomberg House sits on Pall Mall, named after the Duke of Schomberg, a Huguenot general who served under William of Orange. The original house was built in 1698, but only the right-hand side of the facade survives today. The left-hand side was reconstructed in 1958 after being demolished in the 19th century. The house has been a residence and a studio for several famous artists, such as Thomas Gainsborough, John Astley and Richard Cosway. Richard Cosway's servant at Schomberg House was Ottobah Cugoano, a former slave from Ghana who became an abolitionist and a writer. Cosway painted a portrait of him, which is one of the rare depictions of former slaves in British art. The house has also hosted a Shakespeare gallery and a brothel in its colourful history. The house features a delightful Coade stone portico, (shown above) added in 1791 by Richard Cosway. Coade stone was a durable artificial stone made by Eleanor Coade, whose factory was on the south bank of the Thames.Floris fine fragrances shaving products and other toiletries that are still  made by hand on the premises.