Victoria Vase By The Lake

ROYAL VICTORIA PARK 656-1/28/2459 Victoria Vase by the Lake

GV II

Neo-classical Vase. 1880 (dated). Limestone ashlar. Large Vase on pedestal, standing on a fluted foot, base with acanthus leaf decoration and stump handles enriched with snakes; band of anthemion decoration above, beneath projecting lip. Pedestal has fielded sides beneath egg and dart-enriched cornice. The whole stands approx. 3m high. Inscription on one of The panels on base reads `The Victoria Vase to commemorate 50ieth Anniversary of the Opening of this Park October 23rd 1880'. HISTORY: This vase not only celebrated the anniversary of the park's opening, but the completion of a new phase of its development: the vase was placed on promontory in lake which had been formed following advice of Edward Milner in 1878. This involved enlarging the lake and giving it more varied outline. Restoration of the lake to its original extent as shown in OS map of 1888 was completed in 1996. Victoria Park was laid out in 1830 on the former Barton Fields, an area of common land and was opened by the Duchess of Kent with her daughter, Princess Victoria, on October 23rd 1830. It was the country's first municipal park. SOURCES: Bath History: Whalley R: The Royal Victoria Park: Bath: 1994-: 147-169.

Listing NGR: ST7391565347