‘This is a piece of London history. From this house, judges sent prisoners to Australia’
Sylvia Pessoa Bourne is the great-granddaughter of Epitácio Pessoa, President of Brazil from 1919 to 1922. Her father, Carlos Alberto Pessoa Pardellas, was a prominent diplomat who served as ambassador to the UK as well as to Iran, China, Costa Rica, Bulgaria and Belgium.
Sylvia herself is based in Monaco, but spends much of her time in London. She is a passionate art collector, as we see when she opens the doors of her home in the capital.
The historic building, situated on a small, quiet street, was once where convicts were summoned to be sent to Australia. In essence – and despite a fair sprinkling of celebrity neighbours – the house still looks like something from another era. And as you step through the door, the majesty of the
