Relief

Six clasped hands and a golden ball

Under the gable is a relief showing a surreal image: three arms each with a hand at both ends, with the six hands clasped in such as way as to form a triangular repository for a golden ball.

All six hands are right hands and all claspings are the same: with only the middle three fingers being inside the grip. This and the triangle shape suggest a possible reference to the Holy Trinity.

Site: St Matthias Church House (2 memorials)

E1, Chilton Street, 52, St. Matthias Church House

The building was designed by William Reddall, 1887-9. A London Inheritance has researched this street and confirms that St Matthias church used to sit opposite this building, certainly during 1883 - 1940. Perhaps it was lost in WW2.

The little hand sculpture (which we might describe as a relief, were we not very careful) is within the gable above the third floor and, to us, is a complete mystery.

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Six clasped hands and a golden ball

Also at this site i

St Matthias Church House

St Matthias Church House

The names on this plaque are difficult to read so take our transcription as t...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Festival of Britain - Science

Festival of Britain - Science

W1, Oxford Street, 213

The relief shows a pair of compasses, globe, hour-glass, rolled document, anchor, some cogs and two buildings on the Festival site: the D...

1 subject commemorated
Animals War Memorial Dispensary - bronze frieze

Animals War Memorial Dispensary - bronze frieze

NW6, Cambridge Avenue, 10

This bronze frieze shows a winged Victory holding wreaths and flanked by camels, mules, bullocks, horses, elephants, dogs and pigeons, al...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Tull, Samuel, & Co - Fenchurch Street

Tull, Samuel, & Co - Fenchurch Street

EC3, Fenchurch Street, 153

The building was designed by Osborn & Russel and erected in 1880.From Public Monument and Sculpture Association we learn: Small City ...

1 subject commemorated
Saville Theatre - Khaki

Saville Theatre - Khaki

WC2, Shaftesbury Avenue, Odeon Covent Garden

This shows Ernie Lotinga in the play 'Khaki'.

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Sport relief sculpture

Sport relief sculpture

NW8, St John's Wood Road, Lords Cricket Ground

Portland stone.  Charmingly modern relief sculpture showing 13 sport participants (including 3 women) all of whom carry their racquets an...

1 subject commemorated, 4 creators

Previously viewed

St Govor's Well

St Govor's Well

W2, Kensington Gardens

The Living Stream: Holy Wells in Historical Context By James Rattue, 1995 says "As his lands included the parish of St Govor in west Wale...

1 subject commemorated
King Henry III

King Henry III

Ascended throne in 1216, aged 9.  Son of King John.  Resurrected the Magna Carta.  Married Eleanor of Provence who became consort queen. Began the building of the current Westminster Abbey in 1245 ...

Person, Royalty

6 memorials
A. Accord

A. Accord

Private, serving in WW1, died at Lewisham Hospital.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Jane Austen

Jane Austen

Jane Austen, novelist of 6 major novels including Pride and Prejudice. Born: Steventon, Hampshire. Died: Winchester, Hampshire. For all Austen-related London locations see Londonist. A statue was u...

Person, Literature, Seriously Famous

3 memorials
Dr Isaac Dorislaus

Dr Isaac Dorislaus

Born in the Netherlands. A distinguished anti-royalist scholar, for Charles I's trial he was assistant to the Solicitor General but did not sign the death warrant. Murdered in the Hague in 1649 by ...

Person, Politics & Administration, Netherlands

1 memorial