North-East Gate and Railings, St Nicholas Gardens

Ornamental gate and railings, 1755, for Sir James Lowther (4th Baronet of Whitehaven).

MATERIALS: wrought iron gate and railings with overthrows, formed from forged bar iron, including both fire-welded and mechanical joints, the latter being riveted or bolted.

DETAILS: the gate consists of three panels formed within a frame of forged iron rails and styles. The three open panels are infilled by plain square section bars with short elaborated spear finials set between them. The top panels are separated by a mullion, formed by an ornate open scroll panel. The mid-rail is formed by a similar open scroll panel. A gate latch is situated at one end of the mid-rail, with a wrought-iron handle attached to a narrow plain vertical panel against the lock style. The gate is hung between two tall narrow open scroll panels that act as gate posts, supported by curved wrought-iron braces. A semi-circular strap spans between the panels above the gate and above that, a decorative strapwork overthrow is dated 1755 and has a central shield containing the Lowther crest, surmounted by a wyvern finial. A pair of identical side railing panels of a similar design and construction to the gate with spiked bars are situated to either side and are surmounted by decorative scroll overthrows. The railings have matching end panels like the tall panels to either side of the gate that maintain the symmetry of the structure; each panel is set into a dwarf ashlar wall, with a chamfered upper surface. The railings are attached at each end to a later secondary panel of simple spiked railings that flank the ashlar steps that rise up to the gateway. This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 28 June 2022 to correct a typo in address and to reformat the text to current standards