This is an original late Victorian / early Edwardian, cast iron lamp post plaque, featuring the Coat of Arms of Glasgow University (it is similar to the Glasgow crest, but with the addition of the Mace & the Book of Learning).
The plaque features the legend of St Kentigern or St Mungo :
"There's the tree that never grew
There's the bird that never flew
There's the fish that never swam
There's the bell that never rang"
and depicts, in relief, the oak tree with a robin perched on top & a bell hanging from it, & underneath is a salmon with a ring in it's mouth. There is also the University Mace with the Book of Learning sitting atop.
Underneath the legend is, again in relief, a ribbon with the University's Latin motto "Via, Veritas, Vita" or "the way, the truth, the life".
The plaque is curved in shape, so as to fit on a circular post, & the front has been finished in a black paint.
Condition is excellent for age (we estimate around 1880 - 1910), the front has some small patches of surface rust showing & could do with being re-painted, & the rear has surface rust with an (approx) 5mm thick layer of the original adhesive around the edges. The plaque is structurally excellent & the casting quite sharp.
The measurements are approx 6" in length, 3 3/4" in width (4 3/4" at the bottom 'ribbon'), & 3/8" thick. It is heavy for it's size, weighing approx 654 g or just over 1 lb 7 oz.
As with all our items, we fully guarantee this plaque to be original & of the age stated.
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Any questions, please contact us via eBay or mail@orkney-antiques.co.uk.
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