Atlas Figures

Atlas Figures (Sculpture )
at Burslem

Location: On the clock tower of the Old Town Hall, Market Place, Burslem
Installed: 1854-57
Commissioned by: Burslem Urban District Council
Architect: George Thomas Robinson

Description:
The clock tower on the Old Town Hall is supported by eight identical Atlas figures, two on each corner. The figures have naked torsos, their lower body and legs have been replaced by a large scroll-like feature, their arms reach up over their heads to support the bell tower. The town hall has been described has having a, 'Bulgy clock tower [with] lofty caryatids in a forest of muscular elbows.'

Background:
By 1851, the former town hall was considered too small for its purposes. In that year, the architect for the Old Town Hall was chosen from five competition entries. The foundation stone was laid on 27 May 1854 by William Davenport of Longport, a local pottery manufacturer, and the building was officially opened on 28 January 1857.
Since 1975, it has been a leisure centre. The latest change is the extension of the building to include the new Ceramica visitor centre over the period 1999-2001.

Materials:

Part of work	Material	Dimensions
Caryatid x 8	Stone	3m high approx

Photo: August 1987 - the 'angel' can be seen atop the clock tower
The Queens Hall can be seen on the left background.

The clock tower on the Old Town Hall is supported
by eight identical Atlas figures, two on each corner.

The figures have naked torsos, their lower body and legs
have been replaced by a large scroll-like feature,
their arms reach up over their heads to support the bell tower.