tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post6617614106275903047..comments2024-03-28T16:04:17.263+00:00Comments on ORNAMENTAL PASSIONS: Africa House, Kingsway WC2Chris Partridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14883064324795042491noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post-81566599585862797702015-12-13T21:34:27.902+00:002015-12-13T21:34:27.902+00:00Worked there in 1973 as a clerk to a firm of solic...Worked there in 1973 as a clerk to a firm of solicitors` Tuck and Mann and Geffen. Only 21 at the time but a key recollection of Africa House was that every lift was manned by a gentleman resplendent in a dark grey uniform. The senior partner Mr Geffen was combined charm with a ruthless determination that the business of the day was conducted professionally and with a particular eye for detail. The standards he set were high and would insist that you wear office jacket and tie in his office.<br />I did however have enormous respect for him. he was a great believer in youth and would always encourage me in my studies and displayed tremendous compassion when he learnt as to my father`s poor state of health.<br />I was probably too young at the time to fully appreciate the history of Africa House. I was too busy watching and eyeing a young legal secretary who worked at a solicitors` office on the other side of the passageway.<br />A very happy period in my life. Will have to pay a visit down there after all those years.andy fullernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post-40816671943819964492014-09-11T16:09:13.225+01:002014-09-11T16:09:13.225+01:00I walk down Kingsway a few times a week and apart ...I walk down Kingsway a few times a week and apart from the Bush House portico this is my favourite sculpture. My only question is this; why is Brittania armed with a sword rather than the common trident or slightly less common spear?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912529977982751506.post-83634136929762653752009-09-10T20:23:24.782+01:002009-09-10T20:23:24.782+01:00I love this sculpture; I think its such a shame th...I love this sculpture; I think its such a shame that few people ever bother to raise their eyes above street level to see it - but even from the top of a bus it can be difficult to see. So thanks for including it. I love the long wiggly snake at bottom right. Hie yourself along to the Albert Memorial for another depiction of Africa (Cleopatra riding a camel, if memory serves), along with Asia on an elephant, Europe on a bull and America on a buffalo. Has anyone ever seen Australasia on a kangaroo??Capability Boweshttp://www.capabilitybowes.comnoreply@blogger.com