Figure representing a part of the Empire

c.1854

The Italian Terraces, Crystal Palace, south-east London

Other Views of the Terraces

The Italian Terraces, Crystal Park

View from the upper terrace steps

Pair of sphinxes flanking steps from upper terrace

Sphinx at the south side, with traces of colour

Steps leading from the terrace to the "Grand Central Walk"

Retaining wall of the lower terrace

Lower terrace, viewed from below, from the south side

Related Material

Photograph of the Palace in this location (the terraces can be glimpsed directly in front of the building, above the parkland)

Bust of Paxton

The dinosaur pools

Crystal Palace Station

Photograph and text by Jacqueline Banerjee.

You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL.

Along the balustrade of the lower terrace stand three of the original row of statues representing the different parts of empire. One is just the lower part of a figure and another is a female figure in robes, without a head; but the third, which stands next to the impressively wide main steps, has been described as a "reasonably complete male figure, standing, robed, with a turban, beard and cloak thrown back over his shoulders and hands clasped in front of him" ("Row of Statues along Terrace"). This one's robes, like the eyes of a sphinx at the end of the terraces nearest the Crystal Palace Museum, retain some (possibly) original colouring. This figure might be a representation of India: compare it, for example, with the ceramic Indian head attributed to Walter Crane.

Reference

"Row of Statues along the Terrace" (Public Monuments and Sculptures Association site.) Viewed 8 May 2009.

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Last modified 8 May 2009