Romanesque Capital

Acquisition of early 12th century Romanesque capital thought to have been originally from Canterbury Cathedral, to whose crypt capitals the carving is closely related. It was rediscovered at the Deanery Farm, Chatham near Canterbury - in the possession of the Deans of Christ Church Canterbury - where it is thought to have been taken in the later 17th or early 18th century for use as a garden ornament. A slate sundial (by Richard Melvin) was affixed to its top in about 1850. It was acquired by the Museum when it became at risk of being sold abroad, and this was strongly supported by the British Museum, the Kent Archaeological Society and the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury.