Statues - Hither & Thither

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Leeds
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Yorkshire & Humberside

City Square
(Former Post Office)

Statues at the General Post Office

Description

The former Leeds General Post Office is built in classical style by architect Sir Henry Tanner. Two figures by William Silver Frith representing 'Reading' and 'Writing' are over one entrance, while 'Reading' and 'Philosophy' are over the other. Four figures above have been said to represent Time, Air, Light and Earth.

Four stone statues at the entrances:

Leeds - Statues at the General Post Office
Left entrance
with in front the statues of James Watt and John Harrison Right entrance
with in front the statues of Walter Cook and Joseph Priestley (top right is a small statue of an owl)

Writing
Reading
Reading
Philosophy

Four terracotta statues in the facade:

Time, woman with a clock

Air, woman with a he regulator from a steam engine

Light, woman with a a torch with some slender tool which might be a wire, indicating electric light

Earth, woman with triangle and scroll

Sculptor

William Silver Frith (1850-1924), British sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, City Square, Leeds.
Leeds-List, The Leeds Welcome Art Trail.
Bob Speel, Sculpture in Leeds City Square.

Locatie (N 53°47'48" - W 1°32'52") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbyh104; Photograph: 28 July 2019
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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