Statue

Crutched Friars

Erection date: 1985

Inscription

{On the inside of the scroll held by the friar on the left is an inscription that is not intended for easy reading:}
??? the ???????di ntial {Basically, we can't read it. Take a ladder and a torch if you want to have a go.}

Red granite and off-white marble with some bronze. Close examination of this lovely sculpture revealed the secret inscription and a key (a real, modern-day mortice key) hidden on the step below the habit of the friar on the right. We left it there, and it was still there a few months later.

But isn't this sculpture just lovely? The post-modern optical illusion of the steps and the entrance, the asymmetrical bollard and the smoothness of the stone that just makes you want to stroke it. One of our favourites.

Ornamental Passions don't like it as much as we do.

Site: Crutched Friars (1 memorial)

EC3, Crutched Friars, Friary Court

This unusually acceptable post-modern building, designed by Chapman Taylor Partners, was erected by Commercial Union Assurance in 1984-5. 



Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Crutched Friars

Subjects commemorated i

Friars of the Holy Cross, Crutched Friars

Their odd name is just a corruption of 'Crossed', a reference to the red clot...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Crutched Friars

Created by i

Michael Black

Sculptor, based in Oxford  active around 1971 - 85. 2023: We were sorry to r...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Mary Seacole statue

Mary Seacole statue

SE1, Westminster Bridge Road, St Thomas's Hospital Gardens

The statue is lit at night and the shadow of the figure on the bronze disk photographs well.

2 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
FCO - G unknown

FCO - G unknown

SW1, Horse Guards Road, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The Foreign Office was completed in 1873 to the 1861 designs of Sir George Gilbert Scott, with Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt for the St James’s...

Shakespeare statue - SE1

Shakespeare statue - SE1

SE1, Southwark Cathedral churchyard

From the Cathedral: "Sculpted by acclaimed British sculptor Raphael Maklouf who was assisted by Hayley Gibbs".

3 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
Michael Caine - steel statue

Michael Caine - steel statue

SE16, Brunswick Quay

{On a nearby bench:} Plaque 1:The characters for this Portrait Bench chosen by your community celebrate Sustrans winning a nationwide vo...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Dead Parrot monument

Dead Parrot monument

SE10, King William Walk/Romney Road, Devonport House

Created by artist John Reardon, in homage to the Monty Python's Flying Circus sketch, although It appears to be a sulphur-crested cockato...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator