The Team


metal gates by Hardman

John Hardman 1811-1867


John Hardman was responsible for the metalwork, he and Pugin met in Birmingham in 1837. Hardman had his own business from his father, who was a manufacturer of metal buttons.

Pugin and Hardman became life long friends. A year after they met, Pugin persuaded Hardman to begin producing metalwork to Pugin�s designs. In 1845 the business also began to make stained glass. The throne in the House of Lords is made of wood, gilded with inlaid enamel and rock crystals, by Hardman.

This gate is in St. Augustine's church, Ramsgate. It was designed by John Hardman Powell and built by John Hardman.


John Gregory Crace 1809-1889


wall painting John Crace was the head of a well known firm of decorators in London. In 1844 he did a lot of work for Pugin on his house in Ramsgate.

In 1845 he began work on the Houses of Parliament principally in the House of Lords on the painted ceilings panels, the canopy above the throne and other decorative painting. He was also responsible for the painted ceiling panels in the Peers Lobby. When the curtains, carpets and wallpapers were needed Pugin produced hundreds of designs and Crace went into production. Both Crace's father and Pugin's father worked on the Brighton Pavillion.

The picture above is a wall painting from St. Giles' church, Cheadle, executed by Crace.


Herbert Minton 1793-1858


tiles Herbert Minton was a manufacturer of ceramics, with a commercial head on his shoulders. Minton joined his father�s pottery business and with his good sense the company expanded and grew. He had an exciting attitude to design, and strived for technical excellence.

He and Pugin were well suited. It was Minton who produced Pugin�s designs on floor and wall tiles. Minton perfected the encaustic method of producing tiles, which decorate the floors of the Houses of Parliament and many other of Pugin's buildings.

These tiles come from St. Giles' church, Cheadle.


George Myers 1803-1875


Known as Pugin's builder. Myers was born in Kingston-upon-Hull. Pugin met Myers in 1827 in Beverly Minster eight miles north of Hull, where he had been apprenticed to a Master Mason. Pugin called him �a rough diamond� but he was held in great respect by Pugin, because in Pugin�s estimation he knew everything about ancient construction. Pugin's effigy

They became great friends, and Myers developed an ability to interpret Pugin�s designs with reliable sympathy. They worked closely together on many projects including churches, convents, private houses, chapels, schools, Pugin's own home and church and St.Georges Cathedral, Southwark. Myers lived opposite the cathedral at 9 Laurie Terrace. Three years after Pugin's death he moved to The Clapham Road.

It has now been established beyond reasonable doubt, that it was Myers who carved Pugin's effigy on his tomb. Which is in St. Augustine's Church, Ramsgate.


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