Off the Peg

The Victorians had a mania for cast iron even using it for grave markers. Cheaper than traditional headstones, they were usually bought precast from a catalogue and would have had metal or stone inserts which could be personalised. This example from Deskford dates from 1871. The inscription is carved on an inserted slab of white marble. The cast iron section is actually a hollow box and the back panel is badly cracked Although popular for a time these gravemarkers were not particularly durable and relatively few have survived.