Dolphin lamp standard

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Dolphin (sturgeon) lamp standards
Albert Embankment
South Bank
London, September 2016

“Dolphin lamp standards provide electric light along much of the Thames Embankment in London, United Kingdom. Two stylised dolphins or sturgeons writhe around the base of a standard lamp post, supporting a fluted column bearing electric lights in an opaque white globe, topped by a metal crown. Many of the lamps are mounted on granite plinths. The lamp posts were designed by George John Vulliamy and modelled by Charles Henry Driver architect of the Victoria Embankment wall and river stairs. They were based on statues of dolphins or fish with intertwined tails at the Fontana del Nettuno in the Piazza del Popolo in Rome, which was constructed in 1822–23. In the late 1860s, the London Metropolitan Board of Works decided to light the new Thames embankments with electric lights, and asked for submissions of designs. Several possible designs were published in the contemporary illustrated press including the Illustrated London News and The Builder in March 1870, including Vulliamy's ‘dolphin’ design; a design by Timothy Butler decorated with climbing children and an overflowing cornucopia, cast by the Coalbrookdale Company; and a more restrained classical design by Joseph Bazalgette decorated with lion's feet, inspired by classical tripods, and modelled by S. Burnett.” (Dolphin lamp standard, Wikipedia)