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Harlequins Ceramic

Page updated 7th January 2013

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This rather striking terracotta ceramic can be found on the walkway between the Guildhall Centre and the Harlequins Centre. Dating from 1975, it was commissioned from Phillipa Threlfall, who works from the Black Dog of Wells Studio in Somerset. It consists of dozens of shaped pieces made with fired, coloured clay. The piece is not named but the contents are described thus:

  • The green hills surrounding Exeter
  • A city gate and the city wall
  • Exeter Cathedral
  • Five styles of Exeter architecture
  • Higher Market, Queen Street
  • St. Pancras Church
  • Wynards Almshouses
  • Two 17th Century houses
  • The remains of a Celtic shaft found in Exeter and now in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum
  • The Guildhall in the High Street
  • "The Apothecaries' Hall", Milton & Son 246 High Street as it was pre-war
  • Four-storeyed building as found in lower area of the city
  • The inscription: "On this land many generations have lived and worked. They are remembered by their buildings and the things they have done."
    Antiquities found in the city
  • Medieval roof finial found in South Street
  • Roman coin
  • Bellarmine bottle originating from Germany
  • Decorative bird in plater work from 38 North street
  • A Dutch styled two handled pot
  • A merchant's seal in red wax
  • An Exeter tillet block used for marking woollen cloth bales

In addition, the following is included on the descriptive plaque “On this land many generations have lived and worked. They are remembered by their buildings and the things they made."

Harlequins ceramic Click to enlarge

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