Gilbert Bayes: Bringing Art into Everyday Life in Somers Town
Gilbert Bayes, born on April 4, 1872, at 6 Oval Road in vibrant Camden Town, was one of Britain’s most visionary and inventive sculptors. His remarkable career spanned the worlds of fine art, ceramics, and iconic public monuments.
From crafting exquisite designs for Royal Doulton to sculpting the mesmerising Queen of Time figure that majestically crowns the Selfridges clock on bustling Oxford Street, Bayes left an indelible mark on British culture.
His legacy includes dynamic sporting sculptures at Lord’s Cricket Ground and the Drama Through the Ages frieze at the former Saville Theatre, now the Odeon Covent Garden.
As president of the Royal Society of Sculptors from 1939 to 1944, Bayes left a lasting legacy, as evidenced by the Gilbert Bayes Award, which supports emerging sculptors.
Art For The People
In the 1930s, Bayes brought “art into everyday life” in Somers Town, creating over 200 whimsical ceramic finials for communal courtyards, including blackbird finials around a central pie and colourful fish depicting St Anthony preaching to the fish.
Bayes crafted enchanting semi-circular lunettes and playful details for estate buildings, turning ordinary spaces into charming realms. Many survived World War II, but later theft and decay left only a few originals today.
Gilbert Bayes sculpting the dragon finial for the St Pancras Housing Association in 1937
The British Library
Stored in the British Library’s basement are captivating examples of the finials, while colourful replicas enliven local streets.
Housing is Not Enough!
On Aldenham Street, ship-shaped finials and a Christmas tree next to a plaque honouring Father Basil Jellicoe, a key advocate of the ‘Housing is Not Enough’ campaign.
The People’s Museum in Somers Town has meticulously restored two original Bayes finials, highlighting its commitment to preserving the area’s rich heritage.
This vibrant museum is a treasure trove of local history, featuring a diverse collection that ranges from a Pearly Queen’s costume to fascinating artefacts, including oversized models of fleas and bed bugs that symbolise the infestations that once plagued the slums before Father Basil Jellicoe’s reforms.
The museum also features a figure of Frankenstein, honouring Mary Shelley’s time in Somers Town, where she penned her iconic story.
Bayes’ playful spirit shines here through vibrant street art inspired by a Scottish poem about twenty-four tailors chasing a snail. These finials were placed on the washing posts in St Francis Flats.