Atlantes

I took my mum for an after dinner walk this evening around Calderstones Park, close to where she lives.   I've blipped it before, last time I was home, and it's as stunning as ever.  The rhododendrons are in full bloom and the new cafe is finished.    This fine fellow is an Atlantes and with his mate and the four seasons he guards the entrance to the park.  I found some more info with a quick google search and have pasted below.


This imposing entrance to Calderstones Park was originally the entrance to iron and copper merchant John Bibby's mansion Harthill, demolished in 1937. The gateposts are supported by giant atlantes (male caryatids or Atlas figures) and the scene is completed by allegorical figures of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter so known as the Four Seasons. The statues were originally located on the roof of Brown's Buildings, an office block designed (grandly, one assumes) by Picton in 1861-3. This used to stand next to the Town Hall but was demolished in 1926, when the statues were relocated here.