SMM+S

Adam Brown · Last edited by Adam Brown on Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:35 pm; edited 3 times in total

The Miller Mausoleum
Location: Portobello Road end of Craigentinny Avenue
OS Ref: NT 291 743
Designer: David Rhind
Sculptor: Alfred Gatley

Correctly called the Miller Mausoleum it is also known as the Craigentinny Marbles. This structure is built on the grave of William Henry Miller (1789 - 1848)

It is in the most unlikely of places, right in the middle of the 1930s Craigentinny housing estate and beside the car park of Craigentinny Bowling Club.

Situated on Craigentinny Crescent, to get to it at the moment you need to take a detour via Criagentinny Road and Christimillar Avenue Because Craigentinny Crescent is closed at the Portobello Road end. I have to tell you that after visiting it this is well worth a detour

This plaque is on the wall around the base of the tomb

"This monument was erected to the memory of
William Henry Miller
and his parents
William Miller and Martha Rawson or Miller.
Here are interred
Martha Miller
Died 11th January 1827
William Henry Miller
MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme
Born 13th February 1789, died 31st October 1848
Sarah Marsh
Born 20th April 1792, Died 8th August 1860
Ellen Marsh
Born 29th August 1801, died 4th November 1861
All of Craigentinny and Britwell
Buckinghamshire.
The site was consecrated on 13th September 1860.
The sculptures were added in 1866.

Architect David Rhind Edinburgh.
Sculptor Alfred Gatley Rome."

When it was built in 1856 this was on a slight rise in a field beside the Edinburgh to Portobello road on the Miller family’s Craigentinny Estate. It would have been a prominent local landmark. It is now hidden away between bungalows and only those looking for it will see it.

Miller was MP for Newcastle-under-Lyne and spent little time at Craigentinny but wished to be buried there. It was stipulated in his will that he should be buried on his estate, buried 40 feet deep and the grave surmounted by a classical mausoleum.
According to Ian Gow in “The Architectural Outsiders” it was going to be a copy of the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, however the plans changed and it ended up as a copy of a classical tomb instead.
The sculptor was Alfred Gatley and the inscription has Rome after his name, and the designer David Rhind had visited Rome so if not a copy of an actual tomb then it is probably influenced by the tombs both men would have studied of the rich and famous of ancient Rome on the Appian Way.

The two panels by Gatley show Biblical scenes from the flight out of Egypt The Overthrow of Pharaoh in the Red Sea and The Song of Moses and Miriam

Gatley was only responsible for the marbles. (There should have been four but the two smaller ones for the two ends were not made). The tomb was designed by local designer David Rhind. According to Historic Scotland the architectural sculpture was by Thomas (no other details provided)

Note the roof - it is a ribbed barrel roof of fish-scale carved ashlar.

_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject:

The final act of the parting of the Red Sea is a well know story so I’ll let the photographs of Gatley’s panel do the talking

The Overthrow of Pharaoh in the Red Sea

_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:28 pm Post subject:

I had to look up the story behind The Song of Moses and Miriam

After Moses had led the Israelites across the Red Sea to safety his sister Miriam led the women in a triumphant song and dance.

Unfortunately I couldn't get as close to this side of the monument as the other.

The Song of Moses and Miriam

The only damage I can see is that the right hand of this bearded chap is missing. I assume that is Moses behind his left arm.

This photograph shows the shallow relief

_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:33 pm Post subject:

As a monument in the care of the City of Edinburgh Council it has some details on its website

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/leisure/local_history_and_heritage/monuments/memorials/

Miller Mausoleum (Craigentinny Marbles)

This stone Roman-style Mausoleum was designed by David Rhind to be the final resting place of William Henry Miller of Craigentinny, an avid book collector and one-time MP for Newcastle-under-Lyne. It was commissioned in 1848 on Millers death and completed in 1856.
Alfred Gately of Cheshire designed the bas-reliefs, the first depicting 'The Overthrow of Pharoah in the Red Sea' completed c.1855 and the other 'The Song of Moses and Miriam' was finished prior to Gately's death in 1863. They were added to the tomb in 1866, and the reliefs present a strong contrast between rejoicing and tragic foreboding.
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project