Frieze

19th century friezes

The sculptured frieze and the figure of Justice surmounting the oriel at the angle of the original building are by Hamo Thornycroft RA. The other 19th century sculptures are by Harry Bates ARA. 

The friezes are allegories in human form. Thornycroft's contribution is a series of panels with figures representing concepts from the Arts and Sciences to the Colonies, as well as a frieze depicting figures from the professions and crafts connected with building. Thornycroft based the figure of the sculptor on himself and the architect on the building's main architect, John Belcher. The figure of the solicitor is H. Markby of Markby, Stewart & Co., who acted for ICAEW in its early years.

Harry Bates carried out the sculpture over the main entrance, which depicts the ICAEW coat of arms, surrounded by two graceful classical style figures who support a crown, representing the Royal Charter. A series of heavyweight Portland stone columns surround either side of the entrance, providing support for ornamental winged figures, also sculpted by Bates. 

The full line-up (L-R) is as follows: surveyor (possibly G. Smith, acting clerk-of-works for the contractors); Architect (John Belcher, architect of the building); navvy with pickaxe; bricklayer with trowel; hodman with mortar; stonemason; sculptor in blouse (Hamo Thorneycroft); carver (possibly George Hardie); carpenter; smith; plumber with his boy; plasterer; paperhanger; decorator; building (empty niche below was originally intended for a bronze statue of Queen Victoria); furnisher holding a chair; solicitor (H.F. Markby).

20th century friezes

H.A. Stevenson sculptured the frieze which continues on the 1930's extension. Stevenson's work depicts the history of architecture, starting with a caveman on the extreme right and including Wren with a model of St Paul's. The truncated figures at the feet of the Statue of Justice are 'the upper parts of figures representing accountants, one in the act of examining a candidate and the other auditing accounts'.

The 1930's line-up (L-R): J. A. Stevenson (sculptor of the 1930's frieze); J.J. Joass (architect of the 1930s extension); Charles Robert Cockerell (architect); William Chambers (architect) Christopher Wren (architect, holding model of St Pauls); Inigo Jones (architect); Andrea Palladio (Italian architect); Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola (Italian architect); Donato Bramante (Italian architect), Michelangelo; Leonardo Da Vinci; Filippo Brunelleschi (Italian architect); renaissance youth (with mirror symbolising revival); priest; stonemason; Gothic architect; Byzantine with model of basilica; Byzantine; four Romans with a model of an arch; three ancient Greeks; two Assyrians with a lamassu (human-headed winged bull); Egyptian priest with model of a pyramid; Egyptian slave carrying a piece of stone; Egyptian architect; prehistoric man.

In 1968-69 the frieze was further extended with three panels by David McFall RA (as part of the William Whitfield extension that was opened in 1970). These new panels depict Egyptians and the foundation of accounting, seven Victorian style figures representing the founders of ICAEW, and four Renaissance figures - including Luca Pacioli, the first person to publish a work on double-entry bookkeeping and Leonardo Da Vinci. McFall was known for his emotionally powerful direct stone carving of figures.

• Harry Bates, ARA, 1850-1899 (The Victorian Web)
• Harry Bates 1850-1899 (Glasgow City of Sculpture)
• Sir W. Hamo Thornycroft, RA 1850-1825 (Victorian Web)
• David McFall: 1969/2 Three Stone Friezes

The ICAEW Library & Information Service holds a collection of books and articles on Chartered Accountants' Hall, covering the original building and the later extensions. See our Further reading page for details of these, as well as links to web pages on the sculptors and artists whose work decorates the building.