Thomas Beattie of Newtownards was responsible for making the garden sculptures known as the 'Ark' in the Italian Garden at Mount Stewart, Newtownards, County Down. The subjects were chosen by Edith, Lady Londonderry and represented the nicknames of members of her social-political circle. The statues were formed of concrete worked over chicken-wire armatures. He is known to have been active between 1880 and 1920.