Candelabrum by Henry Alfred Pegram (1862-1937). 1897. Bronze. St. Paul's Cathedral, London. In British Sculpture and Sculptors of Today (1901), M. H. Spielmann commented that “in 1897 and 1898 the bronze candelabrum for St. Paul's Cathedral — one of a pair — to be set up by the west door, was exhibited at the Royal Academy. The highest praise that can be given is that these enormous pieces are not unworthy of their noble destination; they are full of symbolism carefully thought out, and as carefully realised as befits the nature and purpose of the work. The figures, typifying the three races of mankind, at the splayed base are dignified in treatment and solemn in character ” (98). [Click on these images to enlarge them.]
Two details. Left: Candles and angels. Right: The base with two figures and bas relief (see below). Note: The background at upper left, which originally contained a blue and chrome trash receptacle, has been digitally removed.
Left: The Crucified Christ attended by angele. Right: Man working by the sweat of his brow and woman bearing children in pain — human beings after the fall.
Photographs, text and formatting 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 it in a print one.]
