Thursday 23 February 2012

Centennial Park, Griffin

This is one of two mythical Griffin sculptures located in Centennial Park, in the eastern suburbs. The griffins guard each side of Parkes Drive, the main entry road leading down from Paddington Gates. The original statues, installed in the 1890s, were manufactured by Villeroy and Boch and made of ceramic. They had eroded and were missing details by the time they were removed in 1971. The restored sculptures were reinstated in 2005 on the same on sandstone plinths. Although referred to as griffins, these sculptures are actually a "gryphonic" hybrid because true griffins have the face, beak, talons and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. The other Griffin can be seen here.

12 comments:

  1. how wonderful that these "gryphonics" were recreated and reinstated on their bases!

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  2. Now I know where the producers of Harry Potter got some of there ideas from.

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  3. A sentinel that looks a tad scary to me. Is guarding the way or trying to scare visitors away? :))

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  4. EG Wow, I think it was meant to be a little bit intimidating but think some young children could be scared if they got up close.

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  5. Griffins fascinate me to the point that I had one tattooed on me.

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  6. Thank you for sharing with us, I conceive this internet site genuinely stands out.
    D.

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  7. An unusual creature Jim... I agree it might appear a bit scary at night

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  8. Nice shot, Jim. Here's a 4,000 year-old griffin form the fresco of Knossos in Crete:

    http://jchatoff.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/knossos_fresco_in_throne_palace.jpg

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