Building record 1415400000 - Obelisk, Urns and Seat approximately 100m to South West of Penn House
Summary
Eighteenth century commemorative obelisk, urns and garden seat, built between 1733 and 1744 for Alexander Pope in memory of his mother and moved to Penn House in about 1830.
Protected Status/Designation
- Listed Building (II) 1277719: OBELISK, URNS AND SEAT APPROXIMATELY 100 METRES TO SOUTH WEST OF PENN HOUSE (DBC6761)
Map
Type and Period (3)
- OBELISK (Moved about 1830, 18th Century - 1733 AD? to 1744 AD?)
- URN (Moved about 1830, 18th Century - 1733 AD? to 1744 AD?)
- BENCH (Moved about 1830, 18th Century - 1733 AD? to 1744 AD?)
Description
Grade II. Monument. Between 1733 and 1744; for Alexander Pope in memory of his mother; urns ascribed to William Kent. Ashlar; obelisk of stone slabs. The obelisk and 2 urns are set at the 3 points of a triangle, with a low stone curved bench on brick piers between the urns. The tall obelisk and urns each have a stepped base and a plinth with moulded base and cornice. The urns have a spiral pattern and conical finials.
Pope erected the monument at his house in Twickenham (Popes Villa) in memory of his mother who died in 1733. It was brought from Twickenham to its present location c1830.
Sources: M Mack, Alexander Pope (1985), p 548; R Strong, Lost Treasures of Britain, forthcoming (B4).
Sources (1)
- <4>SBC20013 Bibliographic reference: DoE. 1982. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Buckinghamshire: Chiltern District: Parishes of Chalfont St Giles &C. Added 12th March 1991.
Location
| Grid reference | SU 92362 94840 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | PENN, Chiltern, Buckinghamshire |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Nov 16 2025 9:56PM
