Description

TQ 2580 SE KENSINGTON GARDENS, W8

249/26/10074 ELFIN OAK

II

Sculpture, 1928-1930, by Ivor Innes. Free-standing gnarled oak tree stump covered with representations of animals, elves and fairies, mostly carved from the oak, some believed to be plaster, all painted (and over-painted). The sculpture depicts the world of Little People (Wookey the witch, Hucklebury the gnome, Grumples, Groodle and many more)' and is a rare and interesting representation in three-dimensional form of the contemporary fascination in the world of fairies, which culminated in J .M. Barriers Peter Pan, the statue of whom (by Sir George Frampton, listed grade II*) is complemented by the Elfin Oak. It is also an interesting example of George Lansbury's inter-war scheme of improvements of London's public amenities and of popular -public art of the period.
The protective railings and shelter are not of special interest.

Listing NGR: TQ2585180418

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Elfin Oak at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q1328474

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

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  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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