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Blenheim Palace flowerpot turns out to be Roman coffin | Blenheim Palace flowerpot turns out to be Roman coffin |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A large marble container used as a flowerpot at Blenheim Palace for 200 years has turned out to be a 1,700-year-old Roman sarcophagus. | A large marble container used as a flowerpot at Blenheim Palace for 200 years has turned out to be a 1,700-year-old Roman sarcophagus. |
The coffin was brought to the grounds by the fifth Duke of Marlborough in the 19th Century where it was first used as a water feature. | |
Until recently it featured in the palace's rock garden displaying flowers but has since been put on display indoors to protect it. | Until recently it featured in the palace's rock garden displaying flowers but has since been put on display indoors to protect it. |
It has been valued at £300,000. | It has been valued at £300,000. |
It was noticed by an antiques expert who was visiting the palace on unrelated business. He identified it as the front of a white marble sarcophagus. | It was noticed by an antiques expert who was visiting the palace on unrelated business. He identified it as the front of a white marble sarcophagus. |
The 2m (6.6ft) long 400 kg coffin features carvings of a drunken Dionysus leaning on a satyr at a party, flanked by the likes of Hercules and Ariadne, and two large lion heads. | The 2m (6.6ft) long 400 kg coffin features carvings of a drunken Dionysus leaning on a satyr at a party, flanked by the likes of Hercules and Ariadne, and two large lion heads. |
Following the revelation of its origin, it was removed from the garden and sent for restoration. | Following the revelation of its origin, it was removed from the garden and sent for restoration. |
The project was overseen by Nicholas Banfield at Cliveden Conservation, who said it was in "remarkable condition considering it has withstood seemingly aggressive environments; particularly that of a fountain receptacle". | The project was overseen by Nicholas Banfield at Cliveden Conservation, who said it was in "remarkable condition considering it has withstood seemingly aggressive environments; particularly that of a fountain receptacle". |
He added: "Following an initial in-situ inspection we were able to unbolt it from the lead cistern to which it was attached and take it back to our workshops for full cleaning, repair and stabilisation." | He added: "Following an initial in-situ inspection we were able to unbolt it from the lead cistern to which it was attached and take it back to our workshops for full cleaning, repair and stabilisation." |
House manager Kate Ballenger said: "We are delighted to have it back and the restoration work undertaken by Nicholas is very impressive. | House manager Kate Ballenger said: "We are delighted to have it back and the restoration work undertaken by Nicholas is very impressive. |
"Now it is in a consistent indoor climate away from the natural elements we are hoping it will remain in good condition and survive for many more centuries to come." | "Now it is in a consistent indoor climate away from the natural elements we are hoping it will remain in good condition and survive for many more centuries to come." |
The palace said it had no records to indicate whether the coffin was purchased by the duke, or gifted to him, nor where it came from. | The palace said it had no records to indicate whether the coffin was purchased by the duke, or gifted to him, nor where it came from. |
The fifth duke was former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill's great-great-grandfather. | The fifth duke was former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill's great-great-grandfather. |
A member of parliament, first as a Whig and later a Tory, the duke lived out his final years at Blenheim amid mounting debt. | A member of parliament, first as a Whig and later a Tory, the duke lived out his final years at Blenheim amid mounting debt. |
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