Hidden Henley

THIS mask on the downstream side of Henley Bridge can be seen from the riverside pavement or the footpath on the Berkshire side.

The graceful, five-arched crossing marks the town’s eastern approach and forms the basis of many well-known picture postcard photographs and other art.

In Emily Climenson’s guide book of 1872, published and printed by Higgs & Co, she refers to this as a “Handsome bridge built of Headington Stone. This beautiful structure was erected in 1786 from a plan by William Hayward who died before the work was begun. He had often expressed a desire… that his body might be interred under the central arch. It is not excelled in simplicity or beauty of design by any bridge on the Thames. The key stone on each face of the central arch is adorned with a sculptured mask, from the elegant chisel of the Hon. Mrs Damer of Park Place. The one towards the north represents old Father Thames with fishes playing in the wavy honour of his beard, with bulrushes inserted in the fillet which binds his temples. The mask on the reverse key-stone exhibits Isis.”

We now know that William Hayward’s wish for his burial was not observed, and that the model for the Isis was Sarah Freeman of Fawley Court.

But who did Anne Damer use as her model for Tamesis? Can any reader shed any light on this?