Fountain

Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain - Eros

Inscription

{Around the base, on a series of six panels, just above the basin into which the water flows:}
Erected by public subscription to Antony Ashley Cooper, K. G., seventh Earl of Shaftesbury. Born April XXVIII, MDCCCI. Died October 1 MDCCCLXXXV. During a public life of half a century he devoted the influence of his station, the strong sympathies of his heart and the great powers of his mind to honouring God by serving his fellow men. An example to his order, a blessing to this people and a name to be by them ever gratefully remembered.
{The dates given in Roman numerals translate as: Born: 28/4/1801. Died: 1/10/1885.}

The 1893 statue commonly known as 'Eros' was apparently erected as his brother, Anteros, the 'Angel of Christian Charity', but it is so often identified as Eros by very reputable sources that we are not sure. The statue is one of the first to be made of aluminium. The fountain is bronze, or copper, depending on source. Note the (poor) pun in the choice of motif, an archer, and "Shaftes-bury"'s name; surely this was unintentional.

From:johncoulthart:
". . The model for Eros was one Angelo Colarossi . . "

Site: Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain - Eros (1 memorial)

W1, Piccadilly Circus

Eros balances, tippy-toes, at the pinnacle of this ornate finial of a fountain.

2016: Londonist's 11 Secrets of London's Eros Statue is excellent.

2017: Londonist posted a very weird photo of the inside of the statue.

2021: Londonist (intermittently obsessed with this statue) informs that at least 10 casts of the statue have been made.  One was in the nearby Trocadero centre and was sold at auction in 1997 to a Lancashire philanthropist who erected it in Fleetwood.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain - Eros

Subjects commemorated i

Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury

Born at 24 Grosvenor Square. Promoted many reform causes, connected with fact...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain - Eros

Created by i

Angelo Colarossi, Jnr and Snr

From:johncoulthart: ". . the model for Eros was one Angelo Colarossi whose f...

Read More

Sir Alfred Gilbert

Sculptor and goldsmith.  Born 13 Berners Street.  Eloped with his first cousi...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Morley's fountain

Morley's fountain

E5, Clapton Square garden

Erected by Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, 83 Lancaster Gate, at the sole cost of Howard Morley Esq. former resident in the loca...

2 creators
Paul's Cross and the Richards family

Paul's Cross and the Richards family

EC4, St Paul's Churchyard

The figure on top is St Paul, of course.

7 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Marcus Grantham Fountain

Marcus Grantham Fountain

WC2, Fountain Court

A fountain has existed in Fountain Court since 1681.

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Yeates sisters

Yeates sisters

N16, Clissold Park, Clissold House

When we found this touching memorial we wanted to know more: the names of the three babies who died; the home they had lived in and the r...

4 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Henry E Goodison

Henry E Goodison

N6, Kenwood Gardens

The decoration on the urn is delightful. Strung between 4 classical style masks are fruit garlands supporting a variety of creatures: s...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator

Previously viewed

Queen Victoria statue - Carlton House Terrace

Queen Victoria statue - Carlton House Terrace

SW1, Carlton House Terrace, 15

This statue used to be in the Constitutional Club (disbanded 1979) at 28 Northumberland Avenue.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator