Re: What's This?
 

I think your right there. It looks to be old though, Victorian?. I think it maybe a Romano British depiction.

Re: What's This?
 

I would say that the majority of buildings in that area don't go back much further than 1860 - ish, give or take a few years. The Britannia is situated on the end of a terrace. So I would say that it is contemporary with the rest of the terrace.

You don't suppose that the building might have had a previous use not connected with the licensed trade? That could explain it possibly.

Re: What's This?
 

Romano British? You mean some sort of river deity?

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Yep, there's 2 or 3 possibles, but I can't spell their Bl**** names.

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Have a go, if you type what it sounds like, I will probably be able to guess.

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o eck youve got me puzzeled, come on on tea help
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Re: What's This?
 

Well, you could have Sequana.
Verbeia was the personification of the River Wharfe.
Or you could have Brigantia who was the tutellary Goddess of this part of Britain.

Re: What's This?
 

Forget the Romans - what about Persephone,Greek goddess of the underworld?

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I thought Sequana was godess of the River Seine and that Verbeia and Brigantia had Yorkshire connections rather than Lancastrian.

Re: What's This?
 

You are right about Sequana, though my understanding was that she was of Burgundian origin. Brigantia held sway over most of northern England.

Why would Persephone be lounging over the doorway of a Public House called 'The Britannia'?

Re: What's This?
 

I have'nt a clue...but look at the design again. Our "heroine" is reclining is reclining in what appears to be a cavern or vault of some sort....hence underworld. Maybe it was put there for decoration & nowt else, although I doubt it.

Re: What's This?
 

Looking at the photograph carefully, I have to agree that I don't think this is the original resting place of this particular sculpture. It really does look as if the stonework has been chipped away to accomodate the thing. I'm sure it would help identification if we were aware of its original location, but, I doubt very much we are going to find out where that was. Interesting stuff nevertheless.

Re: What's This?
 

How about couple of more shots to see if the insrcription gives any clues.

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I will do better than that. I will pop in on Sunday afternoon and make enquiries of the Landlord, while sampling some of his wares - purely in the interests of research you understand.


I know what you mean Tealeaf, but I always felt that it actually had more of a feel of Victorian memorial/mourning cards. You know the sort of things that the bereaved family used to have printed to hand out to mourners so that they could have something to stick in their prayer books and thus remember the dear departed when they were in church. The arch and the spandrels (?) look more like an attempt at conveying a graphic device. If there is script on the arch then that would more or less confirm that supposition.

Re: What's This?
 

I think I may have found the solution to the puzzle. Eltham Palace in London carries a carving above the door which is similar to the one on the Britannia. It is titled 'Hospitality' Rather fitting for a pub, don't you think?