John Thomas Carved Figures - Hamilton, BM
N 32° 17.636 W 064° 46.890
20S E 332255 N 3574410
In 1840, stone carver John Thomas carved 3 limestone statues as decorations for Westminster Palace in London. They were removed in the 1930s and sent to Bermuda as a gift, where they stand in Sessions House today.
Waymark Code: WMNEYD
Location: Bermuda
Date Posted: 03/02/2015
Views: 3
In 1840 three soft limestone statues, one of the English King William II, one of a companion figure for medieval British King John, and a heraldic lion honoring Queen Victoria were carved buy John Thomas as a decoration for Westminster Palace in London. By the 1930s, it was clear that London's toxic smog was going to destroy these figures so they were removed, replaced with figures made of a hardier material, and the originals sent as a gift to Bermuda, where the climate was less erosive.
These figures are on public display inside of the public entrance into Sessions House.
An explanatory framed note nearby reads as follows:
"THE SCULPTURED FIGURES
These two sculptured figures were presented to Bermuda by the Houses of Parliament at Westminster. They were part of the exterior decoration of the Palace of Westminster, but the soft magnesium limestone having proved to be particularly susceptible to the erosive effect of the London's smoke and fog, they were replaced by others about the year 1930. The figure on the left depicts King William II holding in his hand a model of Westminster Hall and the one on the right was, in its original setting, and unidentified companion figure which adjoined that of King John. The heraldic lion in the corner niche has the same origin. They are the work of John Thomas, a Welsh stonemason, who carved them in the 1840s."
Country or International City that Gave the Gift: Great Britain
Country or International City that Received the Gift: Independent British Overseas Territory of Bermuda
Website Verifying this Item as a Gift from Another Country or International City: Not listed
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