Here is another pictorial from my visit to the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
These are all from just one street. They are about 10" in diameter and made of cast iron. They probably cover the water on/off for each house. Most streets in UK cities have switched to plastic covers for water stop cocks. Many have been forced to do so by theft of the cast iron versions having been so rife in recent decades. What amazed me was the variety of places making these and the artwork they employed to make theirs different or stand-out. Some even had glass 'lights' set in them.
Not only practical but ornamental as well.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteeeeerrrrmmmmm.... I think you'll find these are COAL HOLES - one outside each house and only openable from inside ready for delivery in the days when that was the thing. They are very decorative and very photogenic! YAM xx
They are like works of art.
ReplyDeletePeople will steal anything these days!
these are art to me, they are actually pretty to look at, ours we have 2 in each block, but 3 times the size and not decorative.. art is every where and we never know what it will be
ReplyDeleteI took photographs of drain covers in London about twelve years ago, though not as many as you. They are fascinating and so often overlooked.
ReplyDeleteSelf locking collectors would love those. You are very observant.
ReplyDeleteAn acquaintance in the USA collects photos of manhole covers from all around the world. It takes all sorts....
ReplyDelete