Survey Data
Reg No
50070361
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Social
Previous Name
Richmond Lunatic Asylum
Original Use
Gates/railings/walls
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1770 - 1790
Coordinates
314662, 235208
Date Recorded
08/11/2012
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Gateway to hospital grounds, built c.1780, erected at this location c.1940. Comprising pair of square-profile rusticated granite piers flanking double-leaf wrought-iron gate. Decorative swag motifs to capitals. Cast-iron railings on calp limestone plinth wall with carved granite coping. Pedestrian gate to railings to south of gateway.
Appraisal
This gateway originally stood at Santry Court and was moved to this site when that building came into the possession of the State. The fine rusticated piers are a good example of the high quality of stone masonry at the time, and are indicative of the importance of Santry Court. Decorative swags provide artistic interest, as do the gates, which are an attractive and unusual example of decorative iron work, probably manufactured when the gateway was moved. The gateway would have served to convey to the passer-by the grandeur of the house contained within the grounds of Santry Court, and was seen as a fitting entrance to the hospital.