Fact Friday - The most noticeable items in our foyer are the carved oak benches which run the full length of the passageway, stretching over ten metres. They are believed to have been made by Belgian woodcarvers who were refugees in Glasgow during the First World War. There are actually only two benches; the first is divided into four parts, separated by ornate arms each topped by a carved girl’s head. The second bench consists of three parts. Each of the girls carries a different flower. In total there are thirty-four carved back panels, each displaying a different crest of which the first fourteen are those of the Incorporated Trades and others include the Merchants House and the University of Glasgow. By contrast the second bench depicts the arms of different towns and cities. Those of Kirkcaldy sit next to Bruges, Mons and Liege, all Belgian towns, and may have been included as a reference to Robert Adam’s birthplace.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 15:05:01 +0000
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