Pool, Summer House And Statuary Approximately 60 Metres South Of Manor House

SP 5801 GARSINGTON SOUTHEND (West side) 11/59 Pool, summer-house and statuary approx 60 metres south of Manor House. GV II

Formal pool, summer-house and 9 statues on pedestals. Circa 1920. Created for Philip and Lady Ottoline Morrell. Large rectangular pool in a dressed limestone basin with a central rectangular stone-paved island, set across the garden (south) axis of the house. Painted wooden summer-house, known as The Temple (centre east) has the doorway flanked by small openings set between 4 simple pilasters beneath a rustic entablature and triangular pediment. It was brought from the Morrells former country house at Peppard. Round the sides of the pool are 8 full-length standing stone figures on stone pedestals set in recesses in a yew hedge. A further statue is on the island. In clockwise order they are:- a) East: Male, girdled with a vine and holding a shield-shaped tablet. Base inscribed "....VROR POETICUS ". Square pedestal with moulded base and cornice and front panel. b) East: Partly-draped female with bee-hive(?). Base inscribed "THEO..." Pedestal as (a). c) South: Partly-draped female with quiver. Fluted cylindrical pedestal with moulded base and cornice. d) South: Partly-draped male (Vulcan) with hammer and anvil. One foot replaced. Very fine work. Square pedestal with moulded base and cornice and panelled sides. e) South: Partly-draped female. Parts of both arms detached. Pedestal as (c). f) West: Nude female holding branch. Square pedestal with moulded base and cornice. g) West: Partly draped figure. Pedestal as (f). h) North: Figure on square pedestal. i) Island: Reclining female on oval pedestal ornamented with festoons and mask. The pool forms the focus of the elaborate Italian garden laid out by the Morrells with the assistance of Philip Tylden. It was formed from a medieval fishpond. Many well known artists and writers were frequent visitors during the Morrells' occupancy (1915-28) and some, conscientious objectors, were employed as workmen durng the First World War. (Buildings of England : Oxfordshire, p.612; R. Ingrams, Garsington Manor, (privately printed)).

Listing NGR: SP5822201902