Architectural fragment, capital

Built by the Gas Light and Coke Company (GLCC), Beckton commenced production in 1870 as Europe's largest gasworks. The land to the west of Barking Creek was purchased by the GLCC from the Ironmongers' Company of the City of London. The area around the site was named after the GLCC's governor, Simon Adams Beck, also a member of the Ironmongers' Company. An internal railway and loading dock were constructed to handle coal cargoes upwards of 4, 500 tonnes. A passenger railway service also ran between the works and the newly opened Beckton Station.

Working conditions at the gasworks were harsh and often dangerous with employees expected to work shifts of over twelve hours a day, seven days a week. On Sunday 31 March 1889 the National Union of Gas Workers and General Labourers of Great Britain and Ireland was founded at a mass meeting of 2500 Beckton workers. This led to the successful campaign for the eight hour day in the gas industry.

In 1948 the GLCC was nationalised and its Beckton operation came under the control of the North Thames Gas Board. After large natural gas reserves were discovered in the North Sea, the gasworks became uneconomical and finally closed in 1969. The site remained mostly derelict until the 1990s when redevelopment began. Film director Stanley Kubrick used the gasworks to recreate the Battle of Hué from the Vietnam War for his 1987 film Full Metal Jacket. It was also used as a filming location by Derek Jarman who shot the video for The Smiths' song 'The Queen is Dead' there in 1986.

This capital was removed from a pillar in one of the 12 retort houses at the gasworks. Coal was heated at high temperature in the retort houses to produce the gas. The object was given to the London Museum by the North Thames Gas Board in 1972.