Sculptural Group from Pelican Life Insurance Office building
Hidden Content, Images, Videos and Documents
This artificial stone sculptural group was modelled at Eleanor Coade’s Lambeth manufactory by John de Vaere in 1797 after engravings by Lady Diana Beauclerk (formerly Diana, Viscountess Bolingbroke) which illustrated a book entitled 'The Fables of John Dryden'. A copy of this book is held in the Lydiard House museum collection.
The sculpture originally stood above the entrance of the Pelican Life Insurance Office at 70 Lombard Street in the City of London. A Roman heroic figure is shown holding a standard with a pelican on top, comforting distraught widows and mothers. The standard bears the letters 'PLIO' which stand for Pelican Life Insurance Office. This recalls the traditional Roman standard featuring an eagle and the letters 'SPQR' (Senate and the People of Rome). The allegorical figures suggest that the Company is timeless and offers dependents security through life insurance.
Sources
The Museum of London website - Search the Collections
- Year:
- 1797-1798
- Artist:
- John de Vaere after Lady Diana Beauclerk
- Type:
- Sculpture
- Location:
- London Museum (store)
- Reference:
- 2001.63
- Copyright:
- London Museum
- Last updated on:
- Friday 2nd August 2024
