SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Does anybody know the meanings behind the many statues and decorations seen on a vast proportion of Leeds?

Hello Oldboy,Which statues are you interested in? I know the history of a few of the famous ones in Leeds including Circe, The black prince etc. There are also missing statuary from buildings and would like to hear from anyone who knows where these have disappeared to.

There are just so many! Why so many cherubs on the kirkgate market? Who are the statues of above whats now Becketts Bank?

What's the connection between the Black Prince & Leeds, Bagpuss? The history books I've read don't seem to know - & yet his slightly threatening pointing finger is the first thing that greets new visitors to Leeds arriving by rail.City Square looks better now, but I remember arriving for the first time in the late 80s, when all the buildings were as black as the Black Prince. It wasn't all that welcoming!

OldBoy wrote: There are just so many! Why so many cherubs on the kirkgate market? Who are the statues of above whats now Becketts Bank? The market was built in a Neo-classical Renaisance style with Dutch strapwork. A typical feature of this style is the use of Putti- a whole baby or child and Cherubs- the head and wings of a small child/angel. The remaining theme of the decoration consists of intertwined strapwork with seaweed and various nymphs, sirens and water spirits. The restored ironwork over the entrances echoes the seaweed theme. Critics shunned the market building when it was first built saying it was overdone and cliché as the previous market was a large iron and glass framework lit by gaslight and was far removed from the replacement. Becketts bank? Where is this building?

munki wrote: What's the connection between the Black Prince & Leeds, Bagpuss? There is no connection between Leeds and the Prince but the Lord Mayor who gifted it to Leeds, Colonel Thomas Walter Harding, thought the Black Prince would be a fitting tribute to the spirit of Leeds.The Black Prince was Edward of Woodstock 1330-1376, Prince of Wales and was a military leader. He was the eldest son of King Edward 3rd. He died before his father so was never made King. Leeds had a long relationship with another Prince of Wales- Victoria's son, who attended Leeds on a regular basis and was involved in the inauguration of many of our buildings and societies and the Black Prince was also thought to be quite fitting.For those of you who know about the positioning of the horses feet on a military statue, you will know that the Black Prince only fell once in battle and survived- hence the horse having one leg raised.

bagpuss, Becketts Bank (or least one of them) stood on Park Row. I've got a picture of it in a book and it is described as a "fine gothic building."It goes on to say "sadly only recently demolished". The book was published in 1974.It was the work of Geo. Gilbert Scott who also built the Infirmary and I think the old St. Ann's R.C. cathedral.

So which one is the Becketts bank that Oldboy is refering to? There is the Becketts Bank pub and restaurant on Park Row, but it does not have any statuary that I am aware of.By the way Oldboy, have you seen the Guildford pub lower Headrow? The two Atlantes statues are very impressive, but for decency were carved with loin cloths which is unusual for these subjects. The pub was originally the Green Dragon.Also, Leeds Penny Bank on Infirmary Street has wonderful Gothic revival themes in the form of many gargoyles along the roof gables and guttering. However, the lower design of the carving on the building is really ornate but a total mix of styles.One of my favourite buildings is on Briggate, it was a post office when it was first built. As you walk up Briggate it is on your right and is decorated in Buff terracotta with Art Nouveau designs of maidens with swags and foliate scrolls. I will endevour to upload some pictures soon and post them on the site.Cheers

I might be wrong actually. It is a building on Park Row but it could be that I mean the RBS building. Sorry, it was one of the two. I haven't seem the one of lower briggate but thats definitely where I'm going on my lunch break today

Hi Oldboy,if you would like to see my photos of the Scottish Alliance building and the old post office on briggate then visit my flickr site here-http://www.flickr.com/photos/bagpussonspeed/There are other buildings that may also interest you as well.Cheers