Great Pagoda | |
---|---|
![]() "This supreme example of Chinoiserie" | |
Type | Pagoda |
Location | Kew Gardens, London |
Coordinates | 51°28′17″N 0°17′45″W / 51.4713°N 0.2957°W |
Height | 163 ft (50 m) |
Built | 1761 |
Restored | 2018 |
Restored by | Austin-Smith:Lord |
Current use | Museum |
Architect | Sir William Chambers |
Architectural style(s) | Chinoiserie |
Governing body | Historic Royal Palaces |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
Official name | The Pagoda |
Designated | 10 January 1950 |
Reference no. | 1262593[1] |
The Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens in southwest London was built in 1761 by Sir William Chambers as a present for Princess Augusta, the founder of the gardens. Constructed of grey brick, the pagoda comprises 10 storeys, totalling 163 ft (50 m) in height,[2] with 253 steps to the viewing gallery.[3] Closed for repairs in 2006, the pagoda was reopened in 2018 following a major programme of restoration. It is a Grade I listed building.[1]
The ground floor roof is supported on wooden pillars. The storeys above this have arcaded balconies with Chinese Chippendale railings and curved roofs.[1] The roofs are now of lead although they were originally covered in alternating bands of green and white tiles.[4] The 80 restored dragons surmount each roof.[a] Bridget Cherry, in her London 2: South volume of the Buildings of England series, describes the pagoda as "this supreme example of chinoiserie".[2] A study of 2019, written after the restoration, ranked it as "the most important surviving chinoiserie building in Europe".[5]
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