Melesi Mausoleum

MATERIALS: Portland stone and marble with a pitched slate roof.

DESCRIPTION: the mausoleum stands in the Roman Catholic section of St Pancras and Islington Cemetery on the north side of Roman Road. It is designed in the neo-classical style with Gothic elements. The pointed entrance arch, reached via two steps, has marble engaged columns with foliated capitals and elaborate wrought-iron gates; identical columns frame the sides. To either side of the entrance are marble relief panels: that to the left depicting a taxi with a driver with arms outstretched, the prostrate figure of Letizia Melesi and an angel pointing heavenwards; that to the right depicting Gaetano Melesi kneeling before the memorial while his wife ascends to heaven in the arms of the Holy Spirit accompanied by three winged cherubs.

Below the left-hand panel the plinth is inscribed with lead lettering reading: IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE/ OF/ LETIZIA/ DEARLY BELOVED WIFE OF GAETANO MELESI/ DIED JANUARY 11th 1914/ AGED 35 YEARS/ HER VIRTUES ARE RECORDED IN THE HEART/ OF THOSE TO WHOM SHE WAS KNOWN.

The tympanum is faced in gold mosaic. Above the arch is a relief sculpture of a winged angel with a mosaic halo, holding a swag with the Melesi name. The gable has a keystone developed as a plinth bearing a Celtic cross, and antefixae to the angles. The interior has a relief of the Madonna and Child over the altar.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES: wrought-iron chain surround supported on bollards with urn-shaped terminals; some of these are missing.