8 Cavendish Square was built in 1930s as the London branch of Manchester-based textile firm Tootal, famous for their paisley pattern and polka dot fabrics in synthetic fibres.
The architect was W.A. Lewis, the man who created the standard Marks & Spencer branch, with L.G. Pearson of Adams, Holden and Pearson as consultant.
Four bas reliefs of birds adorn the facade - from right to left a pelican, a swan, a barnyard cockerell and an eagle. I have been unable to find out either designer or carver, but W.A. Lewis employed the London firm of architectural sculptors A.T. Bradford on the nearby and contemporanous flaghip emporium of M&S in Oxford Street, so perhaps it was them.
8 Cavendish Square was built in 1930s as the London branch of Manchester-based textile firm Tootal, famous for their paisley pattern and polka dot fabrics in synthetic fibres.
The architect was W.A. Lewis, the man who created the standard Marks & Spencer branch, with L.G. Pearson of Adams, Holden and Pearson as consultant.
Four bas reliefs of birds adorn the facade - from right to left a pelican, a swan, a barnyard cockerell and an eagle. I have been unable to find out either designer or carver, but W.A. Lewis employed the London firm of architectural sculptors A.T. Bradford on the nearby and contemporanous flaghip emporium of M&S in Oxford Street, so perhaps it was them.
It makes a pleasant change to see decorative sculptures representing animals rather than allegorical human figures or portraits of the Great and Good.
ReplyDeleteEspecially unusual, I think, is the humble chicken albeit represented here by a proud-looking cockerel.
Very nice works.
Low relief sculpted animals, in front of densely packed backgrounds, could be medieval in taste or 1930s Art Deco. I think they are terrific :)
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