This magnificent garden bench was originally acquired for the house - with fabulous gardens - from architectural dealers Crowthers of Syon Lodge in Middlesex. It has picked up a wonderful patina in the ensuing decades. It was almost certainly carved in one of the workshops of the Veneto - a region long represented by the symbol of St. Mark: The Winged Lion. This seat may well have been made for J.P.White of Bedford (they never marked their wares so it is hard to be sure). John Parish White (1855-1917) had established his garden ornament firm by at least 1900 by which time he took a premises at 134 New Bond Street. A manufacturer in timber, carved stone, terracotta and bronze the firm ran a number of workshops in Vicenza making garden ornament for sale in London and Bedford. The firm lasted until the early 1960's by which point it was also dealing in antique pieces.