Crocodiles and Cherubs

[Riotgrrl]

Why is the cherub in the weird statue thing outside Alexandra Park surrounded by 4 crocodiles?

[Doorstop]

I've asked this self same question RG .. here in fact.

I sent an email to the bloke who does the history slot in the Paisley Daily Express .. either he's really busy or just a twunt as I didn't receive a reply.

If you find anything out about the origins of the cherub/crocodile imagery (over and above what the fellow HGrs managed to glean) I'd be interested to hear it.

[The Egg Man]

There's background at http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5szc ... es&f=false

but it's a bit short on the 'why?' aspect.

[The Egg Man]

A pal suggests maybe the sculptor was on a budget and was worried about la coste

[Doorstop]

TAXI!!

[Riotgrrl]

Thanks guys. They must have some symbolic significance . . or is there a myth or bible story about cherubs and crocodiles?

It seems like strange, but I'll see if I can find anything.

It's a bit like the question of the puma/panther above the Victoria Infirmary - where did it come from and what does it signify?

[The Egg Man]

Why is there a tiger in Kelvingrove Park? A gift, a lovely gift, from a Glasgow man made good in the US but why a tiger?

[Lucky Poet]

Cherubs and crocodiles must be a fairly common motif; here's another example in Dumfries - several actually, around an incredibly brightly painted fountain:


There must be some symbolism attached, but who knows. Maybe something to do with innocence controlling animal power, or somesuch? It might also be that the Victorians were just borrowing an older usage, without worrying much about its meaning (assuming these are all 19th century).

[Doorstop]

My curiosity was fired up by this and I had managed to quell the conflagration with the judicious application of tempered apathy.

Now you've been and gone and ruined it and got my nosey bit twitching again. I'm going to have to find out the significance of the symbolism now.

I hope you're bloody proud of yourselves.

[Riotgrrl]

Doorstop . . any joy with this?

I was hoping you'd come up with an answer!

[Guacho]

Hi RG,
the puma thing marks infirmaries, not hospitals. There's one on the Western near University Place/Church St. I've seen one at the Royal, but can't remember where.
Don't know why though.

[Guacho]

Google gave me http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5szc9GBZLwwC&pg=PA276&lpg=PA276&dq=puma+infirmaries&source=bl&ots=b9DUmLJ3ja&sig=KLe16YUzK8kATJC_Jeul0qiArsU&hl=en&ei=uN2wTKO7BMeOswb8p_WzDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=falsethis
and
http://pmsa.cch.kcl.ac.uk/GW/QP-004.htm