London’s Tech-Savvy Cherubs: A Victorian Status Symbol
London’s historic architecture is frequently adorned with a variety of ornamental figures, including cherubs, cupids, and putti. While their exact purpose often remains a mystery, some of these decorative elements are particularly unusual, serving as curious historical markers. A prime example can be found at Two Temple Place, a magnificent mansion on the Embankment, built in the 1890s for the immensely wealthy American immigrant, William Waldorf Astor.
At the entrance to Two Temple Place, a distinctive quartet of cherubs, designed by William Silver Frith, showcase cutting-edge technology of their era. One pot-bellied putto is depicted holding an old-fashioned telephone to his ear, while another companion gazes into the mouthpiece, seemingly perplexed by the novel device. This unusual depiction was Astor’s creative way of “bragging” about his ownership of one of London’s first telephones, a technology so new it was akin to displaying a future, unreleased gadget today. The incorporation of these telephonic cherubs served as a public testament to Astor’s wealth and his embrace of modern advancements, effectively a status symbol etched in stone.
The technological theme continues on the other lamp standard, where another pair of cherubs are featured. One figure appears to hold what is interpreted as an early lightbulb, a revolutionary invention at the time. Its companion is shown cranking a mechanical generator, seemingly providing power. This portrayal is humorously noted as an early nod to “green energy,” reflecting a self-sufficiency aspect, even if unintentional. These specific examples highlight Astor’s forward-thinking approach and his desire to integrate the latest innovations into his opulent residence.
Visitors can observe these unique, gadget-loving cherubs whenever Two Temple Place opens its doors for seasonal exhibitions, offering a glimpse into both Victorian architectural grandeur and the early adoption of groundbreaking technologies in London. These figures are not just decorative; they are a whimsical, yet historically significant, record of a bygone era’s technological marvels and the prominent individuals who championed them.
