Er, This is a blog for everyone interested in columns. Well, there's me, anyway. As I wander around, looking at buildings, I am increasingly interested in the columns, pillars and pilasters that grace them. Or sometimes disfigure them. There is a fascinating history behind what is basically something simple to keep the roof in place, but which has become one of the defining elements of our architecture. By "our architecture" I mean the UK, because that's where I live, but sometimes I spot interesting columns when I go abroad. So any columns will do. Time for a picture, chosen, honestly, at random.
Leicester. Not a beautiful city. But behind the old police station on Charles Street there is an area which has recently been done up and it has some fine buildings. Here is the doorway of one of them, Premier House. And I'm glad to say that after being empty for some time this is being done up too. A splendid doorway, on a curve. Gothic in inspiration. The column bases are not classical, and the capitals are Victorian Leafy (my own term). So as columns go, not perhaps the most inspiring, but they are absolutely great as part of this design.
While we are in Leicester, here is another Victorian Leafy.
A residential doorway, Stoneygate. Proportions are more classical, especially in the base, and as in the first doorway the shafts are of marble.
While we are in Leicester, here is another Victorian Leafy.
A residential doorway, Stoneygate. Proportions are more classical, especially in the base, and as in the first doorway the shafts are of marble.
