| Description Of Item | This is one of two plaster reliefs of cherubs found in the Great Hall, both of which depict a cherub with a lighted torch. However, the reliefs differ somewhat, particularly in the positioning of the cherub; whilst in this piece the cherub is gazing at the torch in the second relief (Cherub with a torch (a)) the cherub is instead looking directly out onto the Hall. The sculptor George MacCallum was paid five pounds for each of the cherubs that he supplied.
Cherubs belonged to the second order of angels of the Dionysian hierarchy and were especially reputed for excelling in knowledge, a feature which may have influenced the decision to use these particular decorative panels in the frieze.
Artist: Unknown |