tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post4243375637427844037..comments2024-03-28T16:04:17.263+00:00Comments on ORNAMENTAL PASSIONS: Corinthia Hotel, Northumberland Avenue WC2Chris Partridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14883064324795042491noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post-46617932698558237242011-08-27T02:30:33.893+01:002011-08-27T02:30:33.893+01:00Thank you, thats a very much better theory than I ...Thank you, thats a very much better theory than I could propose.<br /><br />I knew there had to be some significance, beyond the normal depiction of the clock hands at ten-to-two, which makes a clock face "smile".curious.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post-30231151063864983752011-08-25T23:29:24.842+01:002011-08-25T23:29:24.842+01:00Not 1.25pm but 1325 - (approx)year of construction...Not 1.25pm but 1325 - (approx)year of construction of Richard Wallingford's enormous clock at St. Albans Cathedral - thought to be one of the first civic (and therefore public) clocks in the world. The Westminster Clock is probably the most famous civic clock in the entire world. <br /><br />Its a theory, anyway.Capability Bowesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post-28670267371934960782011-08-25T05:58:05.310+01:002011-08-25T05:58:05.310+01:00I wonder if anybody could hazard a theory as to wh...I wonder if anybody could hazard a theory as to why "Big Ben" is showing a time of (approximately) 1:20, there must surely be a reason for choosing that.Curiousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post-11739790391579893482011-08-24T14:14:14.466+01:002011-08-24T14:14:14.466+01:00The torch represents the light of knowledge (the f...The torch represents the light of knowledge (the full name of the big statue in New York is "Lady Liberty enlightening the world"). I suppose you could interpret "enlightening" as literally "shining a light" or "sharing information". Either way, she stands on a pile of broken chains, representing Freedom. It could also represent "Life" - an inverted torch is a common symbol in Victorian graveyards,representing the snuffing out of a life.Capability Bowesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post-30328638320609035352011-08-17T19:02:19.352+01:002011-08-17T19:02:19.352+01:00Finally, a name I recognise. Armstead did the Arth...Finally, a name I recognise. Armstead did the Arthurian reliefs in the Robing Room of the Palace of Westminster and, from what I read now, half the Frieze of Parnassus at the Albert Memorial. I also recall the case of the Metropole, which was requisitioned by the government for additional office space in one of the world wars (I now read it was both).<br /><br />The winged staff in London's hand clearly represents commerce (Hermes' head adorns the keystone, after all), although I am not sure what meaning to ascribe to the missing torch (knowledge?). Technically, the mural crown is a civic emblem, so it doesn't necessarily mean that its wearer is a "Queen"; London's status as capital of the British Empire, however, would certainly warrant such a characterisation for the representation of the city.The Duke of Walthamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16071616047968306743noreply@blogger.com