TQ3281 : The Mappin & Webb building, London (as was)
taken 31 years ago, near to City of London, The City of London, England
The Mappin & Webb building, London (as was)
Designed by John Belcher in 1870, this architectural gem was built to house the offices of the royal silversmiths. Its exquisite shape and proportions suited perfectly the crowded space available, and it quickly became a great favourite with visitors approaching the city from the East. In 1968, some rich developers coveted this site, seeing it as a means of becoming even richer by knocking it down and "lmproving" it for the benefit of London. A massive campaign fought off the power of money until 1994 when its monstrous replacement was erected. SeeTQ3281 : Modern offices at junction of Queen Victoria Street and Poultry, London.
These sculptures, above the portico of the Bank of England, were the work of Sir Charles Wheeler - part of a set depicting 'Creators and Guardians of Wealth' - for Sir Herbert Baker's reconstruction of the Bank edifice between the World Wars.