‘Old Father Thames’ (or the River God) was sculpted by John Bacon and made of Coade stone. It was purchased by the Duke of Montagu in 1781 for one hundred guineas. Another coadstone river god resides in the garden of Ham House, less than a mile upstream.
The Thames is the lifeblood of Arcadia, and here Father Thames is shown as a God in the neo- classical style, the water pouring from his amphora.
In 2010 it was regrettably decided that because of repeated vandalism to the Old Father Thames statue in Terrace Gardens meant that the arm, which has been broken off on more than one occasion, will now not be stuck on again, but is stored for safekeeping by the Council.
John Bacon was born in Southwark started his career as a painter and modeller of porcelain at lambeth. He improved the method of working statues in artificial stone, by 1769 working for the Coade Artificial Sone Manufactory, an art which he afterwards carried to perfection.
A favourite of King George III, Bacon's work can be seen at St Paul's Cathedral, London, Christ Church and Pembroke College, Oxford, Bath Abbey and Bristol cathedral. His best works are considered to be in Westminster Abbey.
The sculpture sits just below the wonderful Hollyhock Cafe in the Terrace Gardens, where you can reflect on its beauty over a refreshing cup of tea - perfect!
