London's Elephants - No 24 in a series

Another week, another elephant. Today's can be found on the Animals in War monument at the top end of Park Lane. And no, I'm not about to start "London's Llamas".

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

London's Elephants - No 23 in a series

The Worshipful Company of Cutlers is one of the City's livery companies, dating back to the 13th Century, it gained it's Royal Charter in the 15th Century. The elephant on its shield probably refers to the ivory that was used for the handles of the best items. Whatever the reason, it means they have possibly the finest pair of knockers in London.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

London's Elephants - No.22 in the series

It had to arrive, sooner or later - the London Elephant that everyone knows - in fact mostly just referred to as "The Elephant" - The Elephant and Castle. It's still one of the less solubrious areas of town; if you want to read about it, local autority blurb is here, a summary is here and interminable Wikipedia stuff here.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

The elephant series is here.

London's Elephants - No.21 in the series

What can I have been thinking of? It's been two months without an elephant - I apologise.
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So here we have two, in the window of the Indian Tourist Office in Cork Street - which fits in nicely with the location for The Way We See It this week. Just DON'T ask me what thecharacter in the middle is doing.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

London's Elephants - No. 20 in a series

It's elephant time again, strange but although they aren't native to this country they seem to do well here - there are still more waiting in the wings. You'll find this one in Rasa, an Indian Restaurant in Derring Street, just opposite yesterday's building. I've not tried eating there, but it looks OK, as far as you can judge these from the outside. And of course, they have an elephant.

London's Elephants - No. 19 in a series

The idea behind "Trunks Meet Trunks" in Hyde Park is to make you stop and consider the importance of wildlife corridors. The beauty is, there is not just one elephant here, but a whole herd.

These beasts are truly compelling, and they will only be here until the 18th, I would throughly recommend a visit. If you can't get there, here are a range of pachyderm connected activities you can do wherever you are.

Thanks to Dianne for bringing these to my attention.

London's Elephants - No. 18 in a series

The Trafalgar Square festival this year sets out to express London’s creative connections with India, with a range of dance, music and performance. Today, they were painting a poster and these elephants appeared.

Last day Sunday, if you want to get down there. Lots of photos here or here.

London's Elephants - No 17 in the series

Today's elephants come from Northfield Nursery in Sewardstone, Chingford. Not quite up to the standard of No. 7, but still adequate pachyderm quotient.

See where: London Daily Photo Map.

London's Elephants - No 16 in a series

It's a pachyderm moment one more time! This one is on Allington House in Victoria. It was created by Barry Baldwin, and here he is in the creative process. I have no idea why it's on this building.

London's Elephants - No.15 in a series

"I'm just popping out for a curry!" is what this elephant seems to be saying. It's one of a pair outside the Curry Palace restaurant, Queensway. I confess I wasn't about to sample their cuisine, but I do like their taste in elephants.

Who would have thought this series has been running for over a year already.

London's Elephants - No. 14 in a series

Nobody guessed, it's elephant time again. I particularly like this one because it was a visitor to London that brought it to my attention. I had The Adelphi down to visit sometime, and knew of the friezes, but I knew nothing of the elephants. You can find them right around the building.

London's Elephants - No 13 in a series

The latest in the series is in Notting Hill Gate and is title is "Carnival Elephant".

Interestingly, an intrepid scout from the U.S. of A. on a trip to London has found me another elephant that I didn't know about....it will be along next time.

London's Elephants - No 12 in the series

This one is high up on Africa house in Kingsway - very redolent of the turn of the century. I'm not too sure about the guy with the rifle, though. All I can say is that the elephant still looks alive.

London's Elephants - No. 11 1/2 in a series

I love London. If this was a book launch in Paris, there would have been a clever, artistic interpretation of mammoths in pre-history. New York? Hey, let's sell everyone a Mammoth Burger. Here? Come on folks, let's put a woolly mammoth in Trafalgar Square.

Don't you just love Garef (Gareth) the mamef (mammoth)?

Follow this link to find out what it was all about, or just enjoy the sight of a woolly mammoth in London.

Gareth has sadly been downgraded to 0.5 of an pachyderm because you don't have the opportunity to see him (except here,of course).

It was Dan the Elephant man that alerted me to this event. Do explore his site if you'd like to daydream about what it might be like to earn youn way through life working with these magnificent animals.

London's Elephants - No. 11 in a series

The series had to have an image of Ganesha, the elephant god. This rather unusual dancing Ganesh is in the British Museum and dates from 750 AD. It was pillaged brought back from Uttar Pradesh and can now be seen amongst the entirely wonderful Indian collection.

You may find it interesting to know that Ganesh, one of the favourite Hindu gods is the lord of beginnings and the placer and remover of obstacles. In the myth, he lost his human head when Shiva cut it off in a temper. He swore to replace it with the head of hate first creature he met, which was an elephant,

London's Elephants - No 10 in a series

Another week, another elephant (or two). First, this elephant spotting comes to you courtesy of the excellent Kitten Heels, for which much thanks. Location is the old Elephant & Castle pub in Vauxhall. I had forgotten it - last time I was there it was a dive, now it is a Starbucks and I have to confess for once that's an improvement.

Keep reading for another of my favourite London trivia. The Russian word for station is Vokzal (or вокзал in cyrillic - thanks Julia!) One of the reasons given for this is that at the start of the railway revolution, the Russians sent a delegation over to England to see what it was all about. Unfortunately, They didn't speak a word of English. They were shown Vauxhall station (one of the earliest ones) and went away assuming that the word for station was Vauxhall. Isn't that beautiful?

London's Elephants - No 9 in a series

Todays elephant post is going to be a small quiz as well. If you are a Londoner, or even if you have visited London you have probably seen this elephant without realising it. But where is it, do you know? A London Daily Photo Postcard Prize to the first with the right answer. A second Postcard prize to anyone who knows the four letter word associated with this. More general pic and info tomorrow.

London's Elephant's - No. 8 in the series

The elephant series again! This is one of a pair in Thomas Goode's shop in Mayfair, and they are extremely special.

This magnificent pair stand over six feet tall and were created by Minton
for the Paris Exhibition of 1889. They are the largest majolica items ever made; London Cabbies know these elephants as a landmark.

You can buy your own candlesticks inspired by these elephants for £3,045 here.


The price tag? £6,000,000. I don't think they want to sell them.

London's Elephant's - No.7 1/2 in the series

I can't get away from the feeling that I'm cheating a bit here. After all, they are nowhere you can go and visit, but I liked them so much I thought they had to join the party. I'll compromise and post this as an extra to the series, hence the "7 1/2".

They were on sale at the Hampton Court Flower Show (see yesterday), and they appear to be having a wonderful time splashing about. I didn't dare ask how much they were.

London's Elephants - No. 7 in the series

London's Elephants again! This one has to be the least known, tucked away in Crouch End. This topiary elephant is so quintessentially british, I love it. Somewhat difficlut to get a clear shot with all the cars and the roadworks, here is another view.

London's Elephants - No 6 In the Series

There really was only one way to mark the six month point - the Elephant series! This one is in the Jubilee Line entrance for Waterloo Station. Incongruous though it is, I think it is a hangover from one of the London Transport Art programs.

London's Elephants - No. 5 in the series

Anyone who has been tuned in to London News would have guessed that I would bring you the Sultan's Elephant today.

For those that can't get here. let me briefly sum up the experience. This is street theatre at its best. It involves and touches people in thousands of different ways. The sight of the buckled road where the spacecraft has landed astonishes the viewer and sets the expectation that something great is going to happen. When the alien girl appears, spontaneous applause breaks out, and she is off on her exploration.

Meanwhile, the magnificent elephant, who has been sleeping for some time, is waking and is walking around Horse Guards Parade, looking realistic in every way including the ability to squirt water! The story will unfold over the weekend. I think it is particularly fun that this french troupe started the show - invasion? - in Waterloo Place.

I should mention that the Londonist put me on to this som edays ago, and they have a video of the elephant here. Lots of bloggers love the elephant!

London's Elephants - No 4 in the series

This chappie is on top of the gates to Ivory House in Tobacco Dock. He's not lonely because he is one of a pair. It is obvious what they are doing there, harking back to the 17th Century East India Company and the ivory trade.

I'm also pleased to say that the mystery of why No. 3 in the elephant series is outside a casino has been solved courtesy of Robert Elms' London program (see yesterday). Simple really, John Aspinall, the owner, has a private zoo. In this context, there is something strangely poignant about this story.

London's Elephants - No. 3 in the series

If you venture into the deepest reaches of Mayfair, you'll find this chappie outside Aspinall's Casino, in Curzon Street. They've made sure he won't escape but if you look at his ear, it looks to me like he gets a few pats for luck on the way in!

London's Elephants - No 2 in the Series

You'll find this cheekie chappie in a alleyway behind the Aldwych. Doesn't he look as if he's been caught short? I've no idea at all why he is there.

London's Elephants, No.1 in the series

There are a surprising number of elephants in London, in the oddest corners. I thought it would be nice to have an series of them from time to time - here is the first. There is a Dali exhibition in the South Bank and there are constructions of some of Dali's painted creations in a lot of public places. For example, the "drawer lady" in Waterloo Station (look for it as you get off Eurostar), the melted watch and this elephant on the South Bank, near the London Eye.