Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project
The Pelican Group, Horniman Gardens, London Rd. Photograph
Region ID | CL | |
Work ID | 895 | |
Manual Reference | CLLMSS19 | |
Type | Sculpture | |
Title | The Pelican Group, Horniman Gardens, London Rd. | |
Designer | Beaullerk, D. | |
Sculptor | De Vaere, John | |
Other | Eleanor Coade's Factory / Coade of Lambeth | |
Date of design | 1797 | |
Year of unveiling | ||
Unveiling details | 1956 | |
Road | London Rd. | |
Precise Location | Opposite entrance to conservatory in Horniman Gardens | |
A to Z Ref | 1H 111 | |
OS Ref | ||
Postcode | SE23 | |
Work is | Extant | |
Listing Status | II | |
Duty of Care | Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust | |
Commissioned by | Pelican Life Insurance (?) | |
Notes | ||
Six classical figures on a three stage integral plinth forming a triangular shape overall from left to right. 1) Child holding a torch aloft in right hand. Left forefinger to lips. Flower garland in hair. Frontal pose. 2) Robed woman facing right. Both arms raised reaching up and forwards. Left foot on step, leg bent. Right leg stretched behind. 3) Robed female 3/4 view. Left arm reaching up and forwards to next figure. Right arm reaching down and backwards to last figure. Left leg bent forwards. Right leg stretched behind. Centre: fire altar-bowl with flames on pedestal. Claw-footed tripod decorated with intertwined cobras and wings. 4) Semi-nude male facing forwards wearing plumed helmet and cloak around neck falling backwards over shoulders, one end falling forwards over right thigh. Right arm raised holding floral wreath. Left hand holding standard topped with pelican 'in her piety' open winged feeding tree young standing on block - 'P.L.I.O.' in raised letters. Left leg straight. Right leg slightly flexed. Classical style armour stands behind this figure. 5) Semi-nude male facing front. Cloak draped round hips, over left shoulder and round left elbow. Right arm bent, index finger pointing up. Left arm lowered holding mirror (?). Right leg straight. Left leg flexed. Head turned to left, looking down to mirror. 6) Semi-nude youth sitting on step facing right. Cloak draped over back and left shoulder. Right leg extended. Left leg bent. Left hand on left knee. Right arm extended, hand on right shin. Head turned to look down over right arm. Winged cup. Bbg: D. Spurgeon, Discover Sydenham and Catford, 1999, p.56. K. White, Greater London Sites Record. | ||
circa | ||
raw year | ||
Condition | Fair | |
At risk | No known risk | |
Inscriptions | COADE LAMBETH Label (white lettering on brown metal plaque): IN THIS ALLEGORICAL GROUP OF NEO-CLASSICAL STATUARY, THE CENTRAL FIGURE / HOLDS A STANDARD DISPLAYING THE LETTERS 'P.L.I.O.' BENEATH A PELICAN CARING / FOR ITS YOUNG. IT SYMBOLISES THE PELICAN LIFE INSURANCE OFFICE FOR WHOSE / LONDON HEADQUARTER AT 70 LOMBARD STREET THE OVER-DOOR GROUP WAS / EXECUTED IN COADE STONE / BY JOHN DE VAERE IN A MANNER SUGGESTED BY THE / WORK OF LADY DIANA BEAUCLERK. THIS ARTIFICIAL STONE WAS MADE, AS INDICATED / ON EACH END OF THE PLINTH, AT ELEANOR COADE'S FACTORY IN LAMBETH. / DESIGNED ABOUT 1797, THE GROUP REMAINED AT THE ORIGINAL SITE UNTIL 1915 / WHEN AMALGAMATION CAUSED ITS TRANSFER TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE PHOENIX ASSURANCE COMPANY. IN 1934 THE STATUE WAS PRESENTED TO / THE LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL BY THE CMPANY WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY / BECAME A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SUN ALLIANCE. / THE GROUP WAS RESTORED IN 1992 FOR THE HORNIMAN PUBLIC MUSEUM / AND THE PUBLIC PARK TRUST THROUGH THE GENEROUS HELP OF THE / HERITAGE OF LONDON TRUST, LECHE TRUST, PILGRIM TRUST, ENGLISH HERITAGE, / LEWISHAM ENVIRONMENT TRUST AND THE FRIENDS OF THE HORNIMAN. | |
Signatures | ||
Elements
Element Details
Part of work | Material | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Whole group | Coade Stone | c. 300 x 1600 |
Plinth | Yellow brick | c. 1600 x 40 x 150 |
Assessment of Condition
Surface Character
Detail | Comment |
|---|---|
Abrasions, cracks, splits | |
Biological growth | |
Surface spalling, crumbling | |
Metallic staining | Metal stain on standard shaft |
