Summary
Gate piers and gates to Manor Farmhouse, Manningford Bohune, built in 1882 and attributed to the architect JA Chatwin and manufactured by Hardman & Co.
Reasons for Designation
The gates and gate piers to Manor Farmhouse, designed by JA Chatwin for Joseph Gillott II in 1882, are listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* for the quality of their design which has been attributed to the architect JA Chatwin;
* manufactured by Hardman & Co, a Birmingham-based firm known nationally for their ironwork and stained glass, the gates exhibit a high degree of craftsmanship.
Historic interest:
* for their original association with the Solihull estate of Joseph Gillott II, son of the pen manufacturer Joseph Gillott, that included New Berry Hall (1870-1880, demolished) and Berry Hall Lodge (1882, Grade II) that were also designed by JA Chatwin.
Group value:
* whilst they have lost direct association with their original setting, in their current position they form a good group with the C19 Manor Farmhouse (Grade II).
History
The gates were built in 1882 following the construction of New Berry Hall (1870-1880) in Solihull for Joseph Gillott II, son of the pen manufacturer, Joseph Gillott. Their design is attributed to prominent Birmingham architect Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907) and they were manufactured by Hardman & Co. Chatwin was the architect of New Berry Hall and Berry Hall Lodge (1882, listed at Grade II) at which the gates and gate piers were originally situated. Both Joseph Gillott II and his father had previously collaborated with Chatwin, facilitating the construction of buildings such as the Church of St Augustine of Hippo (1868, listed at Grade II*). Hardman & Co. having worked with Chatwin and Gillott on the Church of St Augustine of Hippo, amongst others, also provided the stained glass for New Berry Hall, and were known for both their stained glass and decorative metalwork.
In 1984 the gates were dismantled and re-erected at Manningford Bohune in Pewsey, Wiltshire. This is where they currently reside as the entrance gates to Manor Farmhouse (C19, listed at Grade II). New Berry Hall was demolished in around 1990, however Berry Hall Lodge (Grade II) remains as does the earlier manor house on the estate, Old Berry Hall (C15, listed at Grade II). Ornate carved designs in the gable of Berry Hall Lodge, such as the initials JG and berry and leaf designs, also appear in the decorative wrought ironwork on the gates now at Manningford Bohune. It has been suggested that there was a pen nib design incorporated into the main gate lock; this has been lost.
Details
Gate piers and gates to Manor Farmhouse, Manningford Bohune, built in 1882 and attributed to the architect JA Chatwin and manufactured by Hardman & Co.
MATERIALS: the gate piers are built of Portland stone with wrought iron gates and railings.
DETAILS: four stone gate piers, with the two central piers being set back with curved dwarf walls and decorative railings between. There is a pedestrain gate to the left, and a pair of main gates between the central piers. The piers are rusticated and panelled with a dentilled cornice and ball finials. The walls have moulded copings and carry railings with elaborate floral scrolls. Detailed berry motifs in the ironwork include panels of raspberry or blackberry, mistletoe, sycamore, and holly.
The pedestrian gate to the left has an overthrow carrying a date of 1882 and the initials JG, for Joseph Gillott II, and includes a lantern and a bell pull with pivoted bell. There is a similar overthrow and lantern, without a gate, to the right.
