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Latitude: 52.6505 / 52°39'1"N
Longitude: -3.1596 / 3°9'34"W
OS Eastings: 321647
OS Northings: 306490
OS Grid: SJ216064
Mapcode National: GBR 9Z.64RL
Mapcode Global: WH79P.FMNY
Plus Code: 9C4RMR2R+55
Entry Name: Statue of Hercules at E of Top Terrace in Powis Castle Gardens
Listing Date: 29 February 1996
Last Amended: 29 February 1996
Grade: II*
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 16786
Building Class: Commemorative
ID on this website: 300016786
Location: Towards the E end of the top terrace of the gardens, close to the great yew hedge.
County: Powys
Community: Welshpool (Y Trallwng)
Community: Welshpool
Locality: Powis Castle
Traditional County: Montgomeryshire
Tagged with: Statue
History: The statue is one of a number of lead statues at Powis which have been attributed to the studio of John Van Nost, and which are assumed to have been made for the Baroque water garden (largely completed, 1705), which formerly occupied the land at the foot of the garden terraces. This statue is signed by Van Nost's pupil Andries Carpentiere. The statues probably used lead from the Powis family's own mine at Llangynog, Montgomeryshire. The water gardens were demolished between 1801 and 1809, and it is likely that this statue was sited in its present position shortly afterwards.
Description: Lead figure of Hercules on a stone plinth. Hercules is depicted wearing a lion-skin and slaying the hydra (carved in stone), using a club which is made of wood.
A Baroque sculpture of exceptional quality and power, which is of particular historical interest as it was made for the lost Baroque water gardens at Powis - one of the few surviving relics of them.
Reference: National Trust, Powis, 1988, p.42-3;
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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