SMM+S

Adam Brown

Head over doorway
Location: No 1. Gayfield Place, Edinburgh
OS Ref: NT 261 746
Sculptor: Not known

I had passed this building many times over the years but only noticed this magnificent fellow about a month ago after setting up this forum!

I don’t know who he is or why he’s here over this doorway. He looks mythological with his long beard. There is a series of four heads on an old ex Bank of Scotland bank building on George Street which has a very similar carving. Is he Poseidon / Neptune?

Adam
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Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

ADP · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

Historic Scotland give a lot of details about the building in their A-listing specification, but they don't seem to have identified the carving beyond "keystone ornamented by carved bearded head".

http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=28798

ADP

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks ADP. If the experts don't know who it is what hope have I!

The Historic Scotland report mentions these houses are on the old Gayfield Estate and mentions Gayfield House. Gayfield House still exists and can be seen in the corner of a photograph in this thread:

http://scottishmonuments.s2.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=75

Regards

Adam
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project