Neptune

The statue came to the museum from the garden of Alford house. This house was built in 1851 by M D Wyatt for Lady Marion Alford, sister-in-law of Earl Granville, Vice-President of the 1851 Commission, who was closely involved in the formation of the Museum. The house occupied the north-east corner of Wise's nurseries which was later renamed Ennismore Gardens. In August 1955, the building was declared to be demolished. The statue however appears to have come to the Museum prior to this date. The presence of the statue at the Museum is confirmed for the 1870ies through two photographs at the Museum on which the statue appears. The statue might have formerly been part of St. James Park together with another statue. The gardens were later redesigned by Henry Wise, and this may have resulted in the statues being moved to Wise's nurseries at Brompton Road.