Tomb Of Matthews In Arnos Vale Cemetery

The Tomb of Thomas Gadd Matthews, who died in 1860, is located in Arnos Vale Cemetery. It was created by Tyley of Bristol, monumental masons, and is made of marble on a base of Pennant stone. This large, two-stage monument is enclosed by a plot surrounded by ten marble posts connected with tubular rails. Each post features segmental pediments adorned with floral decorations.

The monument is set on a stepped base, with the upper section having concave sides. The lower section is a chest tomb, featuring scrolled consoles enriched with acanthus, positioned at angles to the corners. Each face of the chest tomb includes an inset inscription panel bordered with foliage. The upper stage consists of a sarcophagus resting on claw feet, with reliefs of 'tabula ansata' on each side, flanked by foliate decorations at the corners. The gadrooned cover supports a moulded, two-stage lid topped with a finial that includes consoles and an anthemion motif.

Matthews is noted as a merchant, and his monument is considered one of the finest in the cemetery. It stands out for its ambitious design and draws inspiration from 18th century Georgian churchyard memorials.