Erection date: 1857
In Victorian monograms the letters are often closely linked, often knotted together or sharing a downstroke, but these two appear reluctant in their relationship.
The colourful glazed ceramic frieze that can be seen in our photo depicts flowers, lemons and pineapples, possibly all produced in the Kew hot houses at the time.
Site: Kew fountain for Queen Victoria (1 memorial)
TW9, Kew Gardens, Education Training Centre & Offices
This building was designed by Decimus Burton and opened in 1857, exactly 20 years into Queen Victoria's long reign. It is (2023) known as the 'General Museum' or 'Museum No. 1'. Refurbished in 1998.
These two maps, and , show that the building has been extended. The original plan was a simple long rectangle, with a short projection at the north-east corner. At some point this projection was removed and a short leg pointing to the north-east was added, turning it into the T-plan that we see today. The leg is the section shown to the left of our photo, and indeed, just out of shot, above a door, is inscribed 'VR, 1881'.
The 'drinking fountain' is clearly shown on the 1893 map but not on the 1871 map, which is however less detailed. So we do not know when it was erected. We are just guessing that it was also designed by Burton and erected with the original building in 1857, in celebration of the 20 years reign.
The front of the building (2023 occupied by the Botanical Brasserie) faces Museum Pond; this fountain is around the back.
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