Scriven's Conduit

A conduit head, dating originally from 1636, carved and moulded in Jacobean style combining Gothic and Renaissance details, relocated elsewhere in the C18 and C19; since 1937, resited in a public park and rebuilt as a garden feature.

MATERIALS Painswick limestone ashlar.

PLAN Octagonal on plan.

DESCRIPTION The structure has a plain ashlar plinth of two courses on a later platform; there are triple shafts at each corner with moulded bases, and deeply-carved foliage capitals which support a crowning entablature and a miniature, crenellated parapet, pierced with circular openings. Eight moulded ogee ribs spring from the corners at parapet level, and are gathered to form an open crown capped by an elaborately carved finial, which formerly carried a statue of Jupiter Fluvius pouring rainwater on Sabrina, goddess of the River Severn. In each face between the triple shafts is a pointed arch, open above and infilled below, with a central shaft on the infill which may have risen as a mullion in the upper part of the arch. At each angle of the frieze is a boldly-projecting and vigorously-carved lion's head; on each face of the frieze, a carved medallion depicts one of the resources of the Vale of Gloucester. They include cider, wool, corn and fish; some are badly weathered. Each roundel is flanked by scallop shells.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Enhancement on 18 May 2023 to amend the description.