The Hawking Party - Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, UK
Posted by: Dragontree
N 52° 00.281 W 000° 24.809
30U E 677532 N 5764717
This equestrian statue can be found near the Orangery in Wrest Park.
Waymark Code: WM9CHY
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/01/2010
Views: 4
Known as the 'Hawking Party' or 'Hunting Scene' this statue dates to the mid 19th century. It is an ashlar design with a large plinth support. Being historically significant it is Grade II Listed, since 10th January 1985.
The horse has a female rider who has her arm raised, presumably she may have been holdiing a hawk. A man and a boy run beside her, the page boy holds the reins and her dress, to keep it from dragging in the dirt. The whole statue sits amongst of small grove of trees. Today these trees are Blue Atlas Cedar but originally they were Elms, felled due to Dutch Elm disease.
The statue is one of the biggest in Wrest Park and resides in the stable yard of the original mansion. It was probably built for Thomas Philip 2nd Earl de Grey.
Identity of Rider: Female Unknown Rider
Identity of Horse: Not known
Name of artist: Not known
Date of Dedication: 1835
Material: Stone
Position: One Hoof Raised
Unusual Features: Not listed
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