The new Bank's main portico has a rusticated base with a big entrance arch that makes no sense because it opens onto the roof of Soane's old building.
On either side of the arch are six statues by Charles Wheeler, conventionally referred to as caryatids (female) and telemones (male), but they aren't really because caryatids and telemones have to support parts of a building on their heads and these don't. They are more like buttresses really.
The male figures represent custodianship, according to Herbert Baker's diaries. They carry chains, keys or banners.
Pictures will be posted over the next days, starting from the left.
The first carries a bunch of keys in his hands as well as hanging on his belt. A pair of padlocks are visible behind his head.
1 comment:
What an interesting post! I have photographed that building a couple of times but have never stopped to appreciate the detail. I like this first statue and did not even notice the locks until you pointed them out.
I like the geometric lines of the statue. Does that represent a specific period or style in architecture and design?
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