Group of Five Altars approximately 50m south of Ladies Lake

WREST PARK, SILSOE, CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

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Overview

A group of five ancient Greek altars, from the late Hellenistic period (late C2-C1 BC). Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II*
List Entry Number:: 1311237
Date first listed:: 10-Jan-1985
List Entry Name:: Group of Five Altars approximately 50m south of Ladies Lake
Statutory Address:: WREST PARK, SILSOE, CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

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Date:: 2003-06-13
Reference:: IOE01/10522/02
Rights:: © Mr Derek E. Wharton. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II*
List Entry Number:: 1311237
Date first listed:: 10-Jan-1985
Date of most recent amendment:: 18-May-2012
List Entry Name:: Group of Five Altars approximately 50m south of Ladies Lake
Statutory Address 1:: WREST PARK, SILSOE, CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: WREST PARK, SILSOE, CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Central Bedfordshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Silsoe
National Grid Reference:: TL0930635022

Summary

A group of five ancient Greek altars, from the late Hellenistic period (late C2-C1 BC).

Reasons for Designation

The group of five Greek altars approximately 50m south of Ladies Lake, Wrest Park is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * Archaeological interest: dating from the late C2 to C1BC, the Greek altars have high intrinsic interest * Artistic interest: the altars are notable examples of early artistic and decorative forms, which display a high level of craftsmanship through their elaborately carved symbolism; * Historic interest: the altars have historic interest because they were purchased as antiquities by Amabel Countess de Grey in 1817 to add to the estate's collection. * Group composition: the altars have been in situ, in their present setting, since 1817. * Group Value: the altars make a positive contribution to the structural and aesthetic composition of a Grade I Registered Park and Garden.

History

Wrest Park belonged to the Grey family from the Middle Ages until the early C20. After Jemima, Marchioness de Grey died in 1797, the estate passed to her daughter Amabel and with it Wrest entered a period of consolidation, in part enforced by the severe financial pressures of the Napoleonic wars. The situation had eased by 1816 when Amabel was created Countess de Grey in her own right. The group of five antique Greek altars were purchased by Amabel in 1817 from T Beauclere Esq of Muswell Hill and placed in their present location. It is not known where Beauclere got the altars from. The altars are from the late Hellenistic period and date from the late C2 - C1BC. They were listed as five separate items in January 1985.

Details

MATERIALS: the altars are carved from white marble.

DESCRIPTION: four of the altars are set around the edge of a circular lawn amidst trees, with the fifth altar set in the centre. They are cylindrical in form, approximately 1m in height, and have thin projecting cornices and simple marble caps to the top. The altars are set upon square, stone bases, and each is carved with four buchranea (Ox heads), with festoons of flowers hanging between them. The central altar bears the following Greek inscription:

'HAIL DIOGENES SON OF ENON, HONEST CITIZEN OF ASKALON'.

Askalon is near Gaza.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 37764
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Roscoe, I, Hardy, E, Sullivan, M G, A Biographical Dictionary of Sculptors in Britain 1660-1851, ((2009))
Smith, N, Wrest Park, Bedfordshire, English Heritage Guidebook, (2008)
Other
Cole, D, Beresford, C and Shackell, A, Historical Survey of Wrest Park, (2005),
Davies, J P S , Report on the Garden Ornaments at Wrest Park 1700-1917, (2007),
Donald Insall Associates, Wrest Park, Bedfordshire, Conservation Management Plan, (2009),

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.