Roman Soldier - Cranbourn Street, London, UK - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

This terracotta figure stands defiantly atop the Hippodrome Casino close to London's Leicester Square. He is staring to the south and is garbed in the traditional clothing of a Roman centurion. In his right hand he holds a shield against his right hip. His left arm, raised the head level, holds the shaft of a spear.

The Hippodrome is a Grade II listed building and the entry at the English Heritage website (visit link) tells us:

"Theatre block including shops, chambers and the Crown P.H. at No. 43. 1895 to 1900 by Frank Matcham. Red sandstone, leaded and slated roofs. Ornate, freely handled French Renaissance with theatrically Baroque skyline. Island block of 5 storeys. 5 bays wide to Charing Cross Road, canted corner and 8-bay return to Cranbourn Street. Pub front and shops and canopied corner entrance to theatre on ground floor. Balustraded 1st floor with windows flanked by volute-like caryatids. Shallow canted bay windows through 2 floors above. Sill, string courses and cornices with balustraded parapet broken by 2 shaped pediments, that to Cranbourn Street central but off centre to Charing Cross Road where the small end pavilion retains its cupola. The canted corner, its upper floor windows obscured by large hoarding, is finished off by an openwork metal cupola appropriately, given the theatre's name, supporting a quadriga . The parapets were also originally crowned with gladiatorial statues. The interior with arena form auditorium much altered."

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Roman Soldier Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Frank Matcham Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: c1900 Materials used: Terracotta Location: Above the Hippodrome Casino

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/15/2015 jezevcik visited it 06/08/2014 prussel visited it

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