Monument to the Earl of Dudley, Worcester Cathedral ,1888
William Ward, the 1st Earl of Dudley, died in May 1885 and between 1859 and 1877 Ward paid for many additions and restorations at Worcester cathedral, which is why there is this memorial to him, carved in 1888
James Forsyth first worked for the Earl in carving the two enormous fountains at Witley court, owned by William Ward from 1837, and the success of those led to many future commissions from the Earl.
In the early 1860's James carved the font, pulpit and bench ends at St Michael and All Saints church at Great Witley, and later in the 1860's James carved the font at St Thomas's church in Dudley and the market place fountain in Dudley. In the early 1870's, in the final pieces of the restoration of the cathedral, James carved the nave pulpit in Worcester cathedral. It is unsurprising then that James was asked to carve this memorial after the Earl died ( indeed, after the death of the Earl in 1885 James produced several busts of William Ward and also carved the monument in the crypt at Great Witley church where the Earl was initially buried )
Several papers mention this monument :
10.03.1888
The Hampstead Express reports “ The public memorial to the late Earl of Dudley, which includes a marble effigy of the late Earl resting on a cenotaph of alabaster, richly carved and embellished with various coloured marbles, is now on view at Mr. Forsyth’s studios in Finchley New-road, previous to its erection in Worcester Cathedral. Those of our readers who are interested in matters of this kind are recommended not to lose the opportunity of seeing this important mark of the sculptor’s art. Visitor’s own cards will be sufficient introduction”
09.06.1888
The Worcestershire Chronicle reports the handing over of the memorial of the Late Lord Dudley to the Dean of Worcester Cathedral “…to universal compliments”
James Forsyth first worked for the Earl in carving the two enormous fountains at Witley court, owned by William Ward from 1837, and the success of those led to many future commissions from the Earl.
In the early 1860's James carved the font, pulpit and bench ends at St Michael and All Saints church at Great Witley, and later in the 1860's James carved the font at St Thomas's church in Dudley and the market place fountain in Dudley. In the early 1870's, in the final pieces of the restoration of the cathedral, James carved the nave pulpit in Worcester cathedral. It is unsurprising then that James was asked to carve this memorial after the Earl died ( indeed, after the death of the Earl in 1885 James produced several busts of William Ward and also carved the monument in the crypt at Great Witley church where the Earl was initially buried )
Several papers mention this monument :
10.03.1888
The Hampstead Express reports “ The public memorial to the late Earl of Dudley, which includes a marble effigy of the late Earl resting on a cenotaph of alabaster, richly carved and embellished with various coloured marbles, is now on view at Mr. Forsyth’s studios in Finchley New-road, previous to its erection in Worcester Cathedral. Those of our readers who are interested in matters of this kind are recommended not to lose the opportunity of seeing this important mark of the sculptor’s art. Visitor’s own cards will be sufficient introduction”
09.06.1888
The Worcestershire Chronicle reports the handing over of the memorial of the Late Lord Dudley to the Dean of Worcester Cathedral “…to universal compliments”
