Brianblip

By Brianblip

Back to 200 St Vincent Street

I returned today to get a closer shot of the carvings around the doorway.

"Above the columns flanking the entrance are crouching figures representing a Seafarer (right) and a Seafarer’s Wife (left). The male figure is dressed in a heavy cape with an upturned collar and holds a model ship; the female wears a shawl and holds what appears to be a pouch or money-bag.
A pair of heraldic shields in low relief on the lintel of the main door, one carved with a castle and inscribed ‘EDINBURGH’, the other with a cross of St George and inscribed ‘LONDON’. The keystone in the arch above has a tiny triton riding on a seahorse and blowing a conch, while the capitals of the flanking columns are fashioned in the shape of ships (Viking longboat, left, galleon, right)."
From "Public Sculpture of Glasgow" by Ray McKenzie

On the galleon can be seen an I (the mast), an O and a U (on the sail) as a reminder by the artist Dawson to the architect that he had not been paid!
Extra shows the whole building from the corner across the street. Think this shows the symmetry of the building. 

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