Shugborough Park and Monuments,

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Date:1780 - 1782 (c.)

Description:Shugborough is the ancestral home of the Anson family, who were later created the Earls of Lichfield.

In the late eighteenth century, Thomas Anson, a convert to neo-classicism, commissioned James 'Athenian' Stuart to make further alterations to the house and build monuments in the park, with funds largely provided by his younger brother Admiral Lord Anson.

On the far right is the Lanthorn of Demosthenes, also known as the Dark Lantern. The Lanthorn was the last Neo-classical monument to be designed by James 'Athenian' Stuart for Shugborough. It was completed in 1771.

In the centre is the Pagoda and Cascade. The Pagoda was built over the Sherbrook in 1752, but both the Pagoda and Cascade were swept away in the floods of 1795.

To the left of the Pagoda is the Triumphal Arch, modelled on the Arch of Hadrian at Athens. Admiral Anson died the following year and it is possible Thomas Anson decided the arch should become a memorial to his brother. Peter Scheemakers (who also worked on the Shepherd's Monument at Shugborough) carved the decorations, which included medallions depicting naval themes and sarcophagi bearing the busts of the Admiral and his wife Elizabeth.

On the far left, on the bank of the Sow, is a Classical Colonnade which formed part of the Ruin. The colonnade was washed away in the floods which also destroyed the Pagoda. The Ruin was built from parts of Shugborough Hall pulled down during alterations. On the opposite bank, seated on the Ruin, is a Druid made from Coadestone.

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Donor ref:P75.005.0001 (18/2799)

Source: Staffordshire Museum Service

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