A mosaic of the Bard himself, and teracotta frieze depicting scenes from his works on The Old Bank building, Stratford-upon-Avon.
A mosaic portrait of William Shakespeare by Salviati above the main entry door of 'The Old Bank', Chapel St, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Built for the Birmingham Banking Company in 1883, the Old Bank building was designed by Harris and Harris Architects. The mosaic's design is based on Shakespeare's Monument in the city's Holy Trinity Church, which was commissioned by Shakespeare's wife after his death and located in the church where the author was both baptized and buried.
"the Old Bank, rebuilt in 1883 to replace an earlier bank, and designed in high Victorian style. Coming just after the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre opened the designers, Harris, Martin and Harris of Birmingham took the opportunity to add some Shakespearean associations. So a mosaic portrait of Shakespeare and a terracotta frieze of fifteen panels each depicting a scene from a different play was incorporated into the red-brick building.
The frieze was designed by Leicester stonemason Samuel Barfield, whose work was well-known in the Midlands.
The panels are in three groups of four, tragedies, comedies and histories, with three single panels on the corner between comedies and histories. None are named, so identifying the plays and scenes is quite tricky. They begin in Church Street and go round the corner into Ely Street."
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Pictured in the gallery are -
10. The Merchant of Venice, Act 3 Scene 2, l 75. Nerissa and Portia watch Bassanio make his choice of the caskets watched by Gratiano and a boy. (above mosaic)
11. Antony and Cleopatra, act 3 Scene 11, l 42. Cleopatra, supported by Charmian approaches Antony who is in despair after losing the battle. Eros addresses him “Most noble sir, arise, the queen approaches”.
12. Henry V, Act 3 Scene 1, l 1. “Once more unto the breach”. Henry leads his troops at the siege of Harfleur.
13. Richard II, Act 3 Scene 3, l 192. Outside Flint Castle, Bolingbroke kneels to Richard “Fair cousin, you debase your princely knee”. Bolingbroke’s supporters are Northumberland, Percy and York, while behind Richard are the Bishop of Carlisle and Aumerle.
14. King John, Act 4 Scene 3, l 96. The Bastard intervenes between Salisbury who has drawn his sword and Hubert, over the body of Prince Arthur. Pembroke and Bigot stand by watching.
15. Richard III, Act 1 Scene 2, l 190. Richard offers his breast to Lady Anne for her to kill him. “Nay, now dispatch: ’twas I that stabbed young Edward”.