Burial enclosures of Mayer, Juliana and Hannah Rothschild in Willesden Jewish Cemetery (United Synagogue Cemetery)

Burial enclosures of Mayer Amschel de Rothschild, Juliana de Rothschild, and Hannah Primrose, Countess of Rosebery, in Willesden Jewish Cemetery.

These are the tombs and burial enclosures of Baron Mayer Amschel de Rothschild (1818-1874) and Juliana de Rothschild (1831-1877), and of Hannah Primrose, Countess of Rosebery (1851-1890). The tombs were originally contained within a mausoleum constructed in 1890 or slightly later, which was destroyed in 1941.

Both tombs and their enclosures are constructed of white marble. The eastern enclosure has a base of polished red granite, probably added later, whilst the western enclosure has a grey marble base with grey marble to the interior of the side panels as well.

The two rectangular enclosures are placed side by side, each measuring approximately 5 metres by 4 metres and standing approximately 1 metre high. The earlier enclosure containing the tombs of Mayer and Juliana de Rothschild is positioned to the east, with Hannah Primrose's enclosure to the west. A pathway of decorative black and grey marble tiles separates the two enclosures, which are entered from the north.

The eastern enclosure comprises a moulded plinth supporting carved pillars with a moulded coping. Between the pillars are plain grey-veined marble panels, apparently replacing carved originals. Remains of metal fittings at the entrance show that the enclosure once had a gate, now removed. The pillars display finely carved designs, both internally and externally, depicting a variety of plants including lilies and other flowers, oak leaves and acorns, strawberries and vines, with vases to the corner pillars and drops to the intermediate ones. The tombs themselves form a pair of slightly raised ledgers surrounded by carved rippling ribbons which meet between the tombs at the south end in a large bow. The stepped central panels contain inscriptions in Hebrew and English, with Hebrew dates also given. Mayer Amschel de Rothschild's inscription reads: "IN MEMORY OF / MAYER AMSCHELDE ROTHSCHILD / WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE / ON THE / VI OF FEBRUARY, 5634 1874 / AGED 56 / MAY HIS SOVL REST IN PEACE." Juliana de Rothschild's reads: "IN MEMORY OF / JVLIANA DE ROTHSCHILD / WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE / ON THE / IX OF MARCH 5637 1877 / AGED 46 / MAY HER SOVL REST IN PEACE." A tablet placed between the tombs commemorates their daughter Hannah.

The western enclosure is more elaborate and more complete than the eastern one. Of similar pillar and panel construction, the original carved white marble side panels are intact here. The carving of both pillars and panels, in Renaissance Revival style, is deep and finely executed. The pillars are decorated externally with flowers and fruit, some in vases, several clearly of significance for the Rosebery family, including poppies, thistles, pomegranate, crown imperial lilies, oak leaves and acorns, vines and primroses. The panels are cut straight through, so that the carved white marble is enhanced by the grey marble backing. Scrolled acanthus surrounds in some panels frame laurel-wreath roundels with Hannah and Archibald's initials (HR and AR), and in others bear cartouches with Rosebery and Rothschild badges—three primroses and an arm and hand clutching five arrows respectively. In the panels flanking the entrance these are set within heart-shaped cartouches topped by coronets. The southern side of the enclosure has a central panel with linked cartouches, flanked by panels divided horizontally, each with a vase framed by acanthus below and rosebuds with foliage above. Internally, the pillars are fluted, with those to the south bearing intertwined initials with laurels. At the centre of each grey marble side panel is a white marble plaque with a roundel containing a Tudor rose or other flower. The tomb itself consists of a curved ledger of white marble on a flat base, surrounded by elaborate carving of ribbon and lilies, with a bow to the north. The stepped central panel bears the text "REST IN THE LORD" with a laurel wreath below, followed by the inscription in English, with the Hebrew date of death also given: "HERE LIES / HANNAH ROTHSCHILD / COUNTESS OF ROSEBERY / BORN JULY 27TH 1851 / DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER / AT DALMENY NEAR EDINBURGH / NOV 19TH 1890 – 5651 / THE CHILD OF MANY HOPES / THE WOMAN OF RICH FULFILMENT / HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP."