Series of Herms and Altars laid out in a Y to the east of the Ring Pond

A series of twelve Herms and twelve altars are arranged in a Y-shape to the east of the Ring Pond in Chatsworth Gardens. These features date from around 1730 and are likely the work of William Kent, originally designed to adorn his exedra at Chiswick Villa. Constructed from ashlar, the altars are small rectangular chests, approximately two feet high, raised on feet, and feature bold relief decoration on the front and sides. There are five male Herms set on plain tapering piers with moulded bases and Greek inscriptions, and five female Herms with panelled tapering piers adorned with acanthus and ribbon decoration. Additionally, there is one male faun on a similar pier and one male fawn on a plain panelled pier. The Gardens and Park are recognized on the Gardens Register at Grade I.