A Gargoyle
British (English) School
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
1300 - 1400
Materials
Sandstone
Measurements
260 mm (H)
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1180989
Summary
Sculpture, sandstone, A Gargoyle, British (English) School. 14th century. Reputedly from St Mary's church in Market Drayton. Associated with Robert Clive.
Provenance
Lord Macaulay relates an early incident in the life of Robert Clive (1725-1774). He reputedly climbed to the top of 'the loft steeple of Market Drayton and with what terror the inhabitants saw him seated on a stone spout near the summit'. Family tradition is that this object is the gargoyle on which Clive sat. The 14th century church of St. Mary's at Market-Drayton has a tower but no steeple and this stone fragment appears to come from the nave roof rather than the tower. Accepted by HM Treasury on 21st March, 1963 in lieu of tax and conveyed to National Trust ownership on 29th November 1963.
Makers and roles
British (English) School, sculptor