Nottingham
Sculpture Tour
Thumbnail images of sculptures in Nottingham

Area Map Sky Mirror Maid Marian Way Six Memorials to local poets Major Jonathan White Afghan Campaigns War Memorial William Cavendish Captain Albert Ball, VC Quartet Robin Hood Council House

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Map of the Market Square and Council House Panorama of the far end of the Market Square Panorama of the area outside the Council House Ferocious Lion 1 Views of the front of the Council House Ferocious Lion 2 The Smithy Row entrance to the Council House View internal shots of the Council House The Cheapside entrance of the Council House Half panorama of Cheapside Reliefs on the north east corner of the Council House The High St entrance to the Council House

10 Nottingham Council House by T. Cecil Howitt

Nottingham's neo-classical Council House was officially opened by Edward, Prince of Wales, on 22 May 1929. The Portland stone building was designed by the architect T. Cecil Howitt. Sculptural embellishment was directed by Joseph Else (1874-1955) the Principal of Nottingham School of Art, and a group of assistants including Charles Doman, Robert Kiddy, A.W. Pond, Ernest Webb and James Woodford. The 200ft high dome has an allegorical figural group at each corner representing Knowledge, Prosperity, Civil Law and Commerce. The pediment on the west façade carries twenty-one high-relief sculptures of allegorical figures in a modernistic style, representing the city council's activities, including Justice, Architecture, Literature and Education. A low-relief frieze below the pediment extending twenty-five metres across the width of the building depicts ancient trades of Nottingham, as carried out by an army of naked putti. Coal mining, alabaster carving, leather working and textile manufacture are amongst the industries represented. Resting on plinths at ground level are two large Portland stone statues of male lions. This is one of the most popular meeting points for shoppers and lovers.