Everyone loves the South Bank Lion, but few realise it was created to advertise beer. It was modelled by William Woodington in 1837 for the Red Lion Brewery, demolished to make way for the Royal Festival Hall. The lion was saved on the personal intervention of George V and placed next to Waterloo Station, subsequently being moved in the 1960s its current, more prominent site on the approach to Westminster Bridge. It looks as though it has been here for ever, the surface of the Coade stone as crisp today as it was when it was cast despite the removal of the red paint that it was originally coated with.
How pleasing. Better than in his original red I would say?
ReplyDeleteFortunately saved from demolition.
ReplyDeleteBetter than in his original red.
A greeting from Spain.
http://ventanadefoto.blogspot.com/
A wonderful shot of our favourite London lion – there's something almost melancholy about him.
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