Tom Crowther, seated, with son Henry. 1910.

Henry Crowther, the founder, had a good knowledge of 18th century lead garden ornament, learned from his father’s, Tom Crowther’s, antique garden ornament business founded in the 1880s. (See picture below.) Tom’s background was as an accomplished stone and marble mason, his first exhibition in 1914 at the Chelsea Flower show, winning him a gold medal. With his background and knowledge, Henry opened the ornamental lead foundry in Chiswick in 1908. Being on good terms with his father, this link provided unlimited access to the fine, original sculptural works passing through his father's hands, enabling him to loan, copy and add to his range. The demise of large country homes at that time provided these examples in abundance.

Cover from catalogue of garden ornaments displayed at the Chelsea Flower Show, 1914. (Below)

Henry perfected a method of casting lead from moulds of sand and moist clay; he could produce high quality sculptural castings at a fraction of the expense, compared to the elaborate lost-wax method favoured by 18th century craftsmen.

In about 1927, Henry’s brother bought the Georgian mansion, once the Dower House, and grounds of the Syon estate, establishing the well-known Crowther of Syon Lodge, architectural and garden ornament dealers. By 1930 Henry had his three sons working with him, his continued association with his father’s and brother’s company (by then the largest architectural antique dealers in the U.K.) ensuring the widest selection of quality lead ornament available anywhere. There was a ready home market in the expanding suburbs for smaller pieces.

Henry in the garden at 5 High Road, Chiswick. 1950.

The company had demand from emerging important new gardens being created at the time, such as at Sissinghurst Castle, where H. Crowther Ltd’s leadwork can be seen today. A steady stream of the company’s works also flowed to established 18th century historic gardens. Over the next seventy years, the Crowthers were also employed restoring their existing original 18th century lead statuary.

The company to date, staffed by dedicated craftsmen, mainly family members, has consciously remained small and always worked from the original moulds. Due to the legacy of past generations, H. Crowther offers an expanding range of 200 lead casts, both modest and grand. This wide choice and our knowledge, used to collaborate with our clients, are the main elements responsible for the long continuity of this company.