Japanese Steps And Shinto Arch

632/0/10031 CALTHORPE ROAD 17-MAR-04 Japanese steps and Shinto arch

GV II Steps and Shinto arch. Circa 1870 and late C19. The steps are probably part of S S Teulon's layout of the grounds for Lord Calthorpe, the Japanese lanterns and Shinto arch added later in the century. It comprises three sets of stone steps with chamfered stone pedestals at the corners. The lowest set of steps also has taller square stock brick piers at the lowest part with moulded stone cornice; these piers have large terracotta urns. The remaining pedestals have stone Japanese lanterns, probably late C19 in date. At the top of the lowest flight of steps is a late C19 "Shinto arch", comprising two cylindrical wooden columns upon which are two horizontal squared posts, the upper one curved upwards at the ends, connected by a vertical squared post. The steps are included as part of a series of garden structures at Woodlands Vale, mostly designed by S S Teulon for Lord Calthorpe, with stone lanterns and Shinto arch evidence of the later C19 Japanese influence on garden design.