Classically draped figures symbolizing telegraphy and writing, Salisbury House (architects: Davis & Emannuel) on Finsbury Circus, London EC2. Stone. 1849. British Listed Buildings describe “Round-arched entrance in centre with doors of a late C19 design, flanked by a doubled columns on high socles; spandrels with female allegorical figures reflecting victory and plenty,” but this description must apply to some other entrance.
Left: The allegorical figure on the left appears to be holding a telegraph pole complete with insulators while her right hand hold a winged wheel, perhaps symbolizing a railway. The female figure at the right holds a quillpen in her right hand while her left holds a cornucopia of fruits of th earth.
Fairies. Unlike the first set of allegorical figures in high relief, these fairies holding flowers are carved in low relief and have a very different style that seems both more decorative than symbolic and that endeavours to fill the surface area with grotesques and curved leaves.
Related Material
- Other entrance
- Another view of the figure holding a telegraph pole
- Another view of the figure holding a quill pen
Photographs and caption by Robert Freidus. Formatting and perspective correction by George P. Landow. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one. [Want to take a tour of architectural sculpture?]
Bibliography
Finsbury Circus Conservation Area Character Summary Web. 16 July 2011.
Pevsner, Nikolaus, revised by Bridget Cherry. London Volume 1. London: Penguin Books, 1989.
“Salisbury House.” Listing NGR: TQ3277581588. British Listed Buildings. Web. 16 July 2011.
Last modified 4 March 2024