The Gothic Revival: Places to Visit with Works by A.W.N. Pugin
The British Galleries in the Victoria and Albert Museum (The V&A) have some of Pugin's tiles, made by Mintons for churches and for the Palace of Westminster (The Houses of Parliament). There are two striking jardinieres, or flowerpots, made from Minton tiles in metal mounts by Hardman, a Minton bread plate and a richly carved Gothic cabinet from Pugin's own home. Pugin exhibited these in the Medieval Court in the 1851 Great Exhibition.
Pugin items from the Palace of Westminster at the V&A include wallpaper designs and the only surviving blind of printed cotton. There are chairs, with green upholstery for the House of Commons and red for the Lords. One chair is Pugin's version of the 17th century X frame chair, with the X at the side, instead of the front.
The V&A also owns a set of vestments from St. Augustine's, the church which Pugin built at his own expense next his home in Ramsgate. One is a cope with an embroidered hood.
St.Giles R.C. Church in Cheadle in Staffordshire, every surface of this Pugin church, the floor, walls and roof is covered with brightly coloured Minton tiles, paintings or stained glass.
St. Georges's R.C. Cathedral Southwark, London. Pugin built St. George's in1842-4 and had to modify his designs for lack of money. It was badly damaged in the 1940s by the Blitz but some of Pugin's windows in the Decorated style survive, at the east end and in the north aisle. His Petre Chantry and the Knill Chantry of 1856-7 by his eldest son E.W. Pugin also survived.
St Peter and St Paul, Alburyis in the grounds of Albury Park near Guildford in Surrey. Pugin's Drummond Chantry is richly decorated and has a window made by Wailes.
For more places to visit to see works by Pugin click on 'Pugin Stained Glass' below, but remember that many churches are locked.