Challenger Monument In Arnos Vale Cemetery

901-1/0/10132 30-JAN-03

BRISTOL BATH ROAD Challenger Monument, Arnos Vale Cemetery

GV II

Tomb of the Challenger Family Late 19th century. Bath stone. A tall grave marker consisting of a highly unusual assemblage of classical motifs arranged in a manner reminiscent of Indian grave markers. The square pedestal at the lowest level has engaged colonnettes to the corners; above this is a short stage with paired colonnettes to each angle. The next stage has free-standing colonnettes carrying a full entablature, with an inner block to the centre. The superstructure consists of a tapering section, square at the bottom, with arched panels to each face: above is a ring of colonnettes carrying an octagonal entablature, on top of which is a fluted and reeded shaft with entablature and a final, uppermost, finial. HISTORY: this highly unusual memorial, of local manufacture, appears to be inspired by the nearby tomb of Raja Rammohun Roy Bahadoor (d.1833). It is a strange, provincial, fusion of classical and Indian forms and of considerable group value. It also contrasts markedly with the run of cemetery monuments of this period, which were mass-produced and conventional in form. The earliest legible inscription refers to Catherine Challenger (d.1925), but the monument appears to be rather older.