Geograph - photograph every grid square

A fine example of Victorian Gothic architecture, built in 1883 for the Birmingham Banking Co to the design of Harris, Martin and Harris of Birmingham. The name comes from the bank that it replaced, which was derived from the name of the founders of the bank in 1810, Oldaker, Tomes and Chattaway, who moved to this site in 1830.
The bank was taken over in 1834 by the Stourbridge and Kidderminster Bank who in turn were amalgamated with the Birmingham Banking Co in 1880. The latter clearly felt a need to express themselves with something modern and commissioned the present building, putting particular emphasis on the Shakespearian connotations of the town.
This resulted in the fine Byzantine-style mosaic of Shakespeare over the main entrance, and the set of 15 terracotta panels at first-floor level depicting scenes from Shakespeare's plays. These are illustrated individually with a description of the scene that each represents. The sculptor was Samuel Barfield of Leicester. I am grateful to the Public Monument and Sculpture Association website Link for the detailed information.