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More of Paul Bommer’s Delft Tiles

May 1, 2012
by the gentle author

For those who missed Paul Bommer‘s exhibition in Wilkes St last weekend, it my pleasure to publish more of his faux delft tiles, many of which were inspired by stories here in the pages of Spitafields Life.

At Gardners’ Market Sundriesmen.

Meet the market traders of Hare Marsh, off Cheshire St.

Cockney rhyming slang.

The Whitechapel Bell Foundry includes part of the building of the former Artichoke coaching inn.

Barry the Barber does haircuts in Bedell Coram, Andrew Coram’s antique shop in Commercial St.

Daniel Mendoza, the legendary East End boxer.

Richard Humphries, the Gentleman Boxer.

At Bunhill Fields.

Donald Parsnips, author of Donald Parsnips’ Daily Journal and alter-ego of Adam Dant.

The Duke of Uke, Britain’s only ukulele shop, in Cheshire St.

Bishopsgate follows the line of Ermine St, the Roman road north from the City of London.

Sandra Esqualant, Queen of Spitalfields, landlady of the Golden Heart in Commercial St.

Cockney rhyming slang.

Helmet Row, off Old St, was originally part of the ironmongers’ district.

Lenny Hamilton, Jewel Thief.

Angela Flanders, perfumer of Columbia Rd.

The Nags Head in the Hackney Rd, a former coaching inn once frequented by Dick Turpin.

Jeanette Winterson, author of “Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit” and “Sexing the Cherry.”

Andrew McCaldon, writer and editor of the popular Dogs of Spitalfields series.

The Phoenix Claw from The Signs of Old London.

Favourite Pie & Mash Shops.

The Cries of London.

Nicholas Culpeper wrote “The Complete Herbal” while living in Red Lion St, Spitalfields.

At Sandys Row Synagogue.

The Sun in Splendour, symbol of the Bishopsgate Institute, home to archivist Stefan Dickers.

The Jolly Sailor, a former pub in Ratcliffe.

Andy Willoughby, Gardener at Arnold Circus.

This is the full line of “The Snows Have Fled” (Diffugere Nives) by Horace, from which the phrase “Umbra Sumus” upon the sundial in Fournier St comes. It translates as  –“We are but dust and shadow.”

Images copyright © Paul Bommer

You may like to see the first selection of

Paul Bommer’s Delft Tiles

4 Responses leave one →
  1. melbournegirl permalink
    May 1, 2012

    Charming and witty – just like the blog that inspired a number of them!

  2. May 1, 2012

    Simply enchanting. I love the cat emerging from the bag. Only last night we took photos of one of ours doing just that.

  3. May 2, 2012

    Just brilliant!

  4. Colin permalink
    October 29, 2013

    Do you have anything on Joseph Hose or his brother John or his cousins x2 both named Thomas, John was in Cheapside and his bros in Lombard St.
    Fingers crossed.,
    Colin Hose , descendant

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