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Sunday 30 April 2017

A-Z Challenge 2017 - Houses, some real, some not, -'Z'

Z - Zimbabwe House


Zimbabwe House, London
This Grade II Listed Building on the Strand is now occupied by the Zimbabwean Embassy.

It was designed by Charles Hoden in 1907-1908 as the Headquarters of the British Medical Association. It featured naked statues by Joseph Epstein.

For the startled Edwardian public the full-frontal nudity, not to mention the wrinkled flesh of a grand maternal woman holding a baby, proved too much. A campaign against the statues began, with protests from a group called the National Vigilance Society and a raging debate in the press. The Evening Standard declared that ‘no careful father’ would let his daughter see such depravity,

The statues remain today in a mutilated state following the removal in the 1930s of projecting features after pieces, some say of a phallus, fell off on to a gentleman passerby.

What a way to end A-Z this year.

8 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bob - that wasn't what I was expecting ... and yes - what a house to end the year on ... Zimbabwe and naked statues numerous ... my father didn't let me see them! Well done on another excellent A-Z ... I loved seeing the houses you'd selected ... great range ... cheers and now for a little peace! Hilary

http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/z-is-for-zebra-zoo-and-zedland.html

Keith's Ramblings said...

What a grand building, and far larger than any building I saw on my recent visit to Zimbabwe itself! Of all the things to bump you on the head...!

It's farewell to Amble Bay!

FinnBadger said...

A great ending, with an interesting story to boot. Thanks for all the great visits to houses up and down the country.

Phillip | Z is for Zines Zoinks! I made it to the end!

Kristin said...

Great ending. People are so strange about nudity. Can't believe the challenge is really over. Whew!

http://findingeliza.com/archives/23192

Susanne Matthews said...

LOL Imagine getting struck by a falling phallus. The Vatican had a few statues emasculated in its day. We visited Oslo last summer. Nobody bobs their naked statues. Find me here. LINK

Jo said...

I don't remember the naked statues debate. Interesting story. In a local deli store called David's there is a copy of the statue of David - used to be in all his glory but someone obviously complained so now he wears a loooong scarf. Ridiculous in this day and age.

Deepa said...

I am at awe, this is a different post from all your posts this month.
Perfect way to end the challenge.

Thank you for regularly dropping by my blog. Congrats on finishing the A to Z Challenge. Every post was wonderful

A to Z Reflections: Looking Back In Time

Mail Adventures said...

A perfect way to end the challenge! I hope you have enjoyed it as much I have enjoying reading your posts.
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Eva - Mail Adventures