Monument to Chaloner Chute (c.1595-1659)
Thomas Carter the Younger (c.1720 - 1795)
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
1775 - 1780
Materials
Carrara marble
Order this imageCollection
Vyne Estate, Hampshire
NT 719619
Caption
This cenotaph or “empty tomb” is a fine example of late 18th century English sculpture. It commemorates Chaloner Chute, Speaker of the House of Commons, who bought The Vyne in 1653 from the Sandys family. William Sandys, Lord Chamberlain to Henry VIII, built The Vyne as a Tudor palace.
Summary
Carrara marble sculpture, Monument to Chaloner Chute (c.1595-1659) by Thomas Carter the younger (d. Knightsbridge 1795), circa 1775-80. Designed by John Chute c.1771 in honour of his ancestor, Speaker Chaloner Chute. The splendid monument of the Speaker is absolutely classical Fluted columns carry an entablature with a delicate Adamish frieze. Between the columns tablets for inscriptions and rather Baroque escutcheons of marble fill the spaces. On a carved straw-plaited mattress the figure of the Speaker reclines. He supports his head on his right arm. A flowing gown is wrapped loosely round him; his tall hat and book are thrown down by his left side. The figure in Carrara marble is a notable piece of English sculpture. The sarcophagus was designed by John Chute and carved by the statuary Thomas Carter. Carter's total bill for the tomb and floor paving acounted to £930 17s. 9d. The Speaker in fact lies buried in St Nicholas Church, Chiswick.
Provenance
Commissioned by John Chute for the Tomb Chamber for Chaloner Chute at The Vyne. By descent to Sir Charles Chute, by whom donated to the National Trust with The Vyne estate and house in 1956.
Makers and roles
Thomas Carter the Younger (c.1720 - 1795), sculptor John Chute (1701 - 1776), designer