Gate finial with mer children surmounted by gilded crown
Designer: Charles Crookes (works manager)
Maker: Coalbrookdale Company, Shropshire
Cast iron
On gates at the south end of West Carriage Drive, Kensington Gardens
London
This is one of six matching finials on elaborate Grade II listed gates, originally made by this famous company for the Great Exhibition. The gates were moved to their current location in 1871, marking a fittingly splendid approach to the Albert Memorial. At either end there are Portland stone piers with urn finials.
Photograph by George P. Landow, and text by Landow and Jacqueline Banerjee. [Click on the image to enlarge it, and mouse over the text for links.]