Winged Lion
Holborn Viaduct, City of London
London, January 2008
“I love all of the elements of the Holborn viaduct -starting with the materials. Steel (of course), polished granite – from Aberdeen, Gueurnesy and Cornwall – Portland stone, and bronze. Dragons perch everywhere – from roundels in the spandrels to flanking the base of the streetlights. Intricate floral and foliate patterns fill the balustrade, and cluster around the dragons. There are four statues – the ones on the south side, sculpted by Henry Bursill, represent commerce and agriculture, while the statues on the north side, created by the firm Farmer and Brindley, embody science and fine art. Four winged lions add to the gravitas of the viaduct (these were also by Farmer & Brindley).” (Dragons & winged lions, Gardens to Gables)
