Description

TQ 2780 NE CITY OF WESTMINSTER MARBLE ARCH, W1
67/5
5.2.70 The Marble Arch

- I

Triumphal arch. Designed 1828 by John Nash as the forecourt gateway
to Buckingham Palace and removed to present position as north east
entrance to Hyde Park in 1851 but now isolated from park on
roundabout. Seravezza marble. Inspired by Percier and Fontaine's Arc
de Triomphe du Carrousel and based on the Arch of Constantine. 3
archways flanked by Corinthian columns rising from plinths. Crisply
carved but rather dry detailing with Victories in all the spandrels
and relief panels above the lower side arches. Large inverted
volute-consoles rise into blind attic above entablature in line with
the columns. The sculpture on the north side is by Westmacott and,
facing the park, by Baily. Friezes by the same sculptors, on martial
and naval themes, originally intended for the attic were used instead
on the Buckingham Palace facades. The equestrian statue of George IV
in Trafalgar Square was intended to surmount the attic. Heavy and
densely patterned cast iron gates, the centre one by S. Parker.

Listing NGR: TQ2785280968

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Marble Arch at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q845529

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)