The Gothic Cross (recreated)
Cliveden Conservation Workshop
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
1814
Materials
Coade stone (incorporating original elements)
Collection
Stowe, Buckinghamshire
NT 91817
Summary
Coade Stone, The Gothic Cross (fragments) by Coade's Artificial Stone Manufactory Co. The Gothic Cross was commissioned in c.1814 by the second Marquess and future first Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville (1776-1839) to commemorate his mother, Lady Mary Elizabeth, suo jure Baroness Nugent (c.1759-1812). In the mid twentieth century, the Gothic Cross was destroyed by a falling tree. In 2016/2017 a replica was created from artificial stone, utilising the surviving fragments to inform the design and construction. Several original fragments have been incorporated within the replica monument.
Full description
The Gothic Cross was a three-tiered Gothic-style monument, standing over 12 foot high and illustrated in the 1827 Seeley Guide to Stowe. It was one of the last monuments to be added to the gardens at Stowe and there are few records relating to its commission and its symbolism within the gardens. Records suggest that it was commissioned by Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos -Grenville, the second Marquess and later first Duke of Buckingham and Chandos (1776-1839) from Eleanor Coade (1733-1821), of Coade's Artificial Manufactory Co. (1769-1840). It is probably the ‘rich Gothic monument or Cross with pinnacles and a New plinth to support’ mentioned in a letter from the second Marquess to Eleanor Coade on 22.02.1815 and costing around 200 guineas. However, as the base of the Cross is stamped with ‘1811 COADE & SEALY LAMBETH’ it is possible that this was not a new commission. The second Marquess possibly commissioned it as a memorial to his mother, Lady Mary Elizabeth, suo jure Baroness Nugent, who had died in 1812. In 1814 the Marquess also erected a monument dedicated to his Father, the First Marquess of Buckingham. However, as the shields on the base of the Gothic Cross remain blank and do not represent any member of the family it is unclear if this was a commemorative memorial to a family member. The Gothic Cross was situated as the principal feature of a sinuous walk fringed with evergreen trees leading from the Doric Arch to the Temple of Ancient Virtue. The 1817 Seeley Guide to Stowe describes it as: 'A covered Walk leads to a Scene planted entirely with Evergreens, in the midst of which stands a Gothic Cross of artificial stone.' Labour accounts from 1815 refer to 'Digging the borders & watering the shrubs planted by the Gothic Cross' and confirm that this evergreen setting was created as the backdrop for the Gothic Cross. The Cross was created in Coade stone, an artificial stone devised by Eleanor Coade in 1769. Artificial stone had been created before Eleanor Coade, however, her product was of the highest quality, it looked like natural limestone and was notable for its weather-resistance qualities and consistence quality of product. Coade stone is in fact a form of hard-wearing ceramic stoneware and the Coade formula was carefully controlled and comprised of flint, glass, quartz and kaolin (china clay), which after shaping or moulding, was long-fired in a kiln at approximately 1150c. Coade stone was manufactured in a great variety of forms, but it was the appointment of designer John Bacon (1740-1799) and his skill with neo-classical models that ensured the patronage of many pre-eminent architects along with a royal appointment to King George III and King George IV. The Marquess of Buckingham also commissioned other Coade stone pieces including plaques and chimney pots for the Buckingham Lodges, coats of arms for the Oxford Lodges and plaques for the Buckingham town bridge. In the twentieth century a tree fell onto and destroyed the Gothic Cross. In 2016, the National Trust worked with specialists to recreate this monument: Surviving fragments were laser scanned and developed into 3D models which were then used to develop moulds for all missing sections which were made by hand-pressing Coade stone clay into moulds before a long slow firing process. The surviving original fragments were conserved and incorporated into the reconstructed monument which was installed in the original location.
Provenance
Commissioned in c.1814 by the second Marquess and future first Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville (1776-1839). Listed for sale but not sold in: ‘The Ducal Estate of Stowe, near Buckingham […]’, 1921, the Eighteenth Day’s Sale, lot 3786, p. 226: ‘A small carved stone Gothic Shrine.' Listed for sale in ‘The Ducal Estate of Stowe, near Buckingham […]’, 1922, the Second Day’s Sale, lot 89, page 13: ‘A small carved stone Gothic Shrine.' As the Gothic Cross was destroyed by a falling tree in the twentieth-century; the archaeological site was transferred as part of the gardens to the national Trust in 1989 by Stowe School. Recreated, incorporating original fragments, and reinstated in 2017.
Makers and roles
Cliveden Conservation Workshop, sculptor Coade, sculptor