Vase Near Rivers Gate to Queen's Parade

The vase near Rivers Gate to Queen's Parade is a Grade II listed structure, likely from the 19th century. It features an Italian Carrara marble vase and pedestal, with a base made of Pennant stone. The urn is adorned with high relief figures of putti carrying garlands of fruit, inspired by reliefs found on Roman sarcophagi. The hemispherical base is decorated with low-relief carved acanthus leaves, while the circular fluted stand sits on a square base. The plinth includes a cornice and a double-stepped base. An inscription on the die reads, "THIS VASE WHICH ORIGINALLY STOOD IN THE VILLA GRIMANI STRA-PADUA WAS PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE VICTORIA PARK, BATH BY A RESIDENT. AUGUST 1910." This vase exemplifies the ongoing effort to enhance the park with stone donations, and it has a notably detailed provenance. Victoria Park was established in 1830 on the former Barton Fields, an area of common land, and was inaugurated by the Duchess of Kent and her daughter, Princess Victoria, on October 23rd, 1830, making it the first municipal park in the country.