Tombstone To Sir Percy Harris, Bart, St Nicholas Churchyard

The tombstone to Sir Percy Harris, Baronet, is located in St Nicholas Churchyard and commemorates the life of this notable figure who passed away in 1952. The monument features a funerary relief made of Portland stone, created by the prominent 20th-century sculptor Bainbridge Copnall in the late 1920s. It consists of a tall rectangular relief set on a stepped base, which includes an inscription. The relief artistically represents the resurrection of the dead, showcasing rising naked figures, some with 1920s bobbed hair, among crosses in a cemetery, with a winged angel hovering above. The reverse side of the monument is plain.

Historically, this work reflects Copnall's early career and was originally displayed in Harris's garden at Morton House, Chiswick Mall, before being moved to his grave. The piece draws inspiration from the work of Stanley Spencer and is significant as one of the last funerary representations of the Christian theme of resurrection at the Last Judgment. Its style also shows influence from the Vorticist Wyndham Lewis. Sir Percy Harris was an influential Liberal politician, serving as an MP and deputy leader of the London County Council, and authored the important book "London and its Government" in 1913. Bainbridge Copnall, who was President of the Royal Society of British Sculptors from 1961 to 1966, is best known for his decorative work in the Royal Institute of British Architects' building, which opened in 1934. This monument is recognized for its high quality and its historic, sculptural, and symbolic significance.