2-982-327 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Wellington Tomb in the Crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, [London], 1858. '...the resting-place of the remains of the great Duke of Wellington in our metropolitan cathedral have been completed, and the public are admitted to view the same...Mr. Penrose, the conservating architect of the cathedral, undertook to prepare for the reception of the coffin a suitable sarcophagus...at length it was determined to appropriate for the purpose a huge porphyry boulder...in the field whereon it was found, the intensely hard material was cut into the form of a sarcophagus, and polished by steam power...On one side of the sarcophagus is inscribed "Arthur, Duke of Wellington" and upon the opposite side, "Born May 1, 1769. Died September 14, 1852." And at each end, and upon a boss, is an heraldic cross, the outlines of which, as well as those of the inscription, are in gold, which has a rich effect. In each angle of the chamber is a candelabrum of highly-polished red granite, from which rise jets of gas to light the apartment. The floor is laid with Minton's tiles, and the appearance of the tomb and the sepulchral chamber, if not sumptuous, is grand and massive. The tomb is stated to have cost £1100'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.