Albert Memorial Gargoyles - Kensington Gardens, London, UK
N 51° 30.138 W 000° 10.662
30U E 695875 N 5709461
The Albert Memorial is located in the southern part of Kensington Gardens. It is due north from the Royal Albert Hall across Kensington Gore.
Waymark Code: WMN5C1
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 12/29/2014
Views: 8
There are four gargoyles, one is located at each corner of the canopy above the seated statue of Prince Albert. The gargoyles have pipes in their mouths to ensure the water is spread away from the monument.
The Albert Memorial is Grade I listed with the entry at the English Heritage website telling us about the memorial:
Prince Consort National Memorial (Albert Memorial). GV I Memorial. 1862 to 1875. George Gilbert Scott, with sculpture and other decorations by numerous Victorian artists and craftsmen. Granite, marble, limestone and metal. Square decoratively paved podium reached by steps to south; superimposed podia with steps to all sides, surmounted by ciborium-like canopy with clustered granite columns to four corners. Elaborate sculptured spire. Giant seated figure of Prince Albert within. Gables to all sides with pinnacles between. Richly sculptured band to base breaking outward at corners to support sculptured groups representing the industrial arts:- Agriculture, Manufacture, Commerce and Engineering. Further sculptured groups to four corners of stepped podium representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America, and linked by elaborate railings. Monument enriched with much figure and other sculpture and decorated also in numerous other techniques including mosaic, enamel, etc.
The British History website has an article about the Albert Memorial from which the following extract was taken:
For the architectural stonecarving Scott chose 'the best carver I have met with and the one who best understands my views'. This was William Brindley of the firm of Farmer and Brindley, 'a man whose whole soul is absorbed in and devoted to his art'. His work, executed under Scott's 'very careful and anxious personal guidance' included the cornices of the canopy carved 'with noble foliage in high and bold relief', and the gargoyles, designed by Scott 'with that grim and grotesque but artistic pleasantry which seems to suit their somewhat quaint employment'. Most of this was at first solidly gilded.