York House gardens in Twickenham, West London houses these wonderful statues carved in Italian white marble from Carrara. They were brought to England by the financier Whitaker Wright but were dispersed in 1904 when he was found guilty of fraud and suddenly died.
The figures are sea nymphs from Greek Mythology and were brought to Twickenham in 1909. They were bought for £600 by the last person to own York House. When he died in 1918 and his wife returned to India the property was given to the council and was used as council offices.
It wasn't until the 1980s that the York House Society and the Twickenham Society got together and restored the statues which had been neglected and vandalised. Further restoration work took place in 2007.
The beautiful gardens go down to the River Thames and are open to the public.
Since 1965 York House has been the council offices for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Parts of the building date back to 1630 and at present the building is undergoing major restoration work.
fantastic marble statue and the par as well ...
ReplyDeleteTruly beautiful statues. I really wonder about people who vandalize art. What can be their purpose?
ReplyDeleteLovely garden and statues. You have so many lovely places over there!
ReplyDelete"When he died in 1918 and his wife returned to India ". Intriguing tidbit.
ReplyDeletelovely gardens
ReplyDeleteI visited the UK as a child and I have to ask my Father what cities we visited as I only remember a couple of them....Michelle
ReplyDeleteWhat a great sculptures in the garden.
ReplyDeleteWonderful they were restored, and what a nice setting for them.
ReplyDeleteWonderfull place restored and gorgeous scultures,Greeting from Belgium
ReplyDeletehttp://louisette.eklablog.com/le-grand-hornu-site-minier-region-de-mons-borinage-et-mac-s-musee-des--a113313294
All so lush and green. Love the name...it's fun to say "Twickenham".
ReplyDeleteOh the horse apples are not edible for humans. The seeds are...but even squirrels have a hard time getting into the fruit for them.
Always seems a comedow that such a nice house is used by the council but better than demolishing. Shame the gardens got in a state but great they are now restored. Must try and go there
ReplyDeleteSure looks inviting.. Cold and snow here in Ohio U.S.A.
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