INFORMATION concerning an historic wellhead, thought to be an early example of Venetian Byzantine, is being sought by Hestercombe Gardens.

The wellhead was originally placed in the Formal Garden at Hestercombe by Mr and Mrs Portman in 1904.

It was later noted in two of the four pre-war articles that were written on Hestercombe by Country Life in 1927.

The wellhead stood in the garden until just after Mrs Portman's death on May 4, 1951, after which time it was sold by the Commissioners of Crown Lands along with five fireplaces and an assortment of other garden ornaments from Hestercombe.

It was purchased by A Crowther of T Crowther & Son Ltd., dealers in antiques from Fulham, and A Crowther travelled personally to Hestercombe to inspect the goods.

From here the piece disappeared into private ownership and is presumed to be resting in a private garden somewhere.

The wellhead was initially left in her will by Mrs Portman to her sister, who apparently didn’t want it.

The dream for Hestercombe would be to find the wellhead and reinstate it in the grounds and any information from the public as to its whereabouts would allow the Hestercombe archives can be updated with its new location.

If you have any information about the wellhead, contact Hestercombe archivist Kim Legate on kimlegate@hestercombe.com or by calling 01823-413923.