Monument To John Allan, Nunhead Cemetery

The monument to John Allan, located in Nunhead Cemetery, is a funerary structure built after 1865 to commemorate John Allan, who died in that year. It is possibly designed by Matthew Noble. The monument features a granite aedicule set on a two-stage base, with four columns on each side. It is topped with an arched roof adorned with two lion masks on each side and a ridge that has two Celtic cross finials. There are steps leading to the vault at the front. The front of the monument displays a marble relief of the Ascension, while the rear has a bronze portrait roundel. At each corner, there are four pedestals, which originally supported urns, though some are missing as of the last inspection. In front of the aedicule, there is a projecting slab that was originally flanked by two mourning female figures. Historically, John Allan was a successful shipowner from Whitby, and a marble portrait of him was exhibited by Matthew Noble at the Royal Academy in 1867. The design of the monument is inspired by the Pavaya Mausoleum at Xanthos, which was discovered in the 1830s. It is noted as the most elaborate monument in the cemetery.