Chancellor's Court Friezes - Chancellors Court, University of Birmingham

At the Chancellors Court, University of Birmingham.

Had time before the Igers Birmingham UK Instameet to get some photos outside.

Grade II* listed building

Great Hall and Quadrant Range

Details
UNIVERSITY ROAD 1. 5104 Edgbaston B15 Great Hall and Quadrant Range formerly listed as Birmingham University (Main Buildings) SP 08 SW 11/4 21.1.70 II* 2. 1900-1909 by Sir Aston Webb and Ingress Bell, the D plan group main university building of which only part were completed to the original design. The Great Hall opposite the tower is the central axial building, to its front is a square entrance hall with a giant round arched mullioned window, above an ornate frieze over the loggia doorways, flanked by tapering square corner turrets (to rear as well) which are topped by small ribbed domes. Over the hall rises a low octagonal drum supporting a large ribbed dome and a miniature lantern. Red brick and stone and buff terracotta dressings, but the conception is more Byzantine than Renaissance. Behind the domed and galleried entrance hall with ornate Renaissance grotesque relief carving, lies the Great Hall itself, a vast tunnel vaulted space with cross vaulted 2 storey side galleries. Rich grotesque carving. Lavish stained glass by T R Spence. The centrepiece of the hall has 2 storey quadrant links forming the wing pavilions, 2 to the west but only one completed to the east. These relate on a smaller 2 storey scale to the Great Hall being square on plan and with similar ribbed domes but with round corner turrets, wings extending behind. Flat lintelled window ranges on ground floor and large frescoed friezes by Anning Bell below the parapets on the first floor level. The link ranges have segmental arched windows. Modern part to east not of special interest.

Listing NGR: SP0472283539

Chancellor's Court Friezes

Mining and Metallurgy, Learning, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (left to right)
Artist: Robert Anning Bell (1863-1933)
Date made: 1905-1909
Medium: Ceramic
Research and Cultural Collections
Accession number: BIRRC-A0566a-d
Location: Aston Webb Building - Chancellor's Court. To find this sculpture, you can either use its what three words location or use the campus digital map.

Robert Anning Bell was a central figure in the Arts and Crafts movement. He was commissioned by the University to create a ceramic frieze to top each block in Chancellor’s Court. The friezes illustrate detailed scenes of engineering, metalwork and mining, trades that formed the industrial landscape of the Midlands. They were also the subjects originally taught inside these buildings, asserting the importance of science and industry at the University. The central frieze, above the entrance to the Aston Webb building, depicts a classical representation of the Goddess of Learning handing over the baton of scholarship to figures in academic robes. This signifies the fact that every student who graduates from the University of Birmingham will receive their degree in the Great Hall, inside this very building.

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Taken in: UK / England / Selly Park (show map)

Taken on: August 31, 2024

Tags:

edgbaston

birmingham

england

united kingdom

great britain

university of birmingham

the university of birmingham

tree

trees

Aston Webb Building

Great Hall and Quadrant Range

grade ii* listed

Grade II* listed building

Sir Aston Webb

Ingress Bell

D plan group main university building

The Great Hall

Chancellor's Court

Chancellor's Court Friezes

Robert Anning Bell « less

Sets appears in: • University of Birmingham

Groups appears in: • Sculpture • The University of Birmingham more » • Domes « less

Camera: Canon PowerShot SX70 HS, f/5.0, 1/500 sec, 14.8mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon PowerShot SX70 HS
Aperture:	f/5.0
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/500)
Focal Length:	14.8mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
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