Comments on: At Fishmongers’ Hall

By: Jill Wilson

Jill Wilson — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 12:56:15 +0000

While I can’t share your enthusiasm for fish, I absolutely share your enthusiasm for Fishmongers Hall. In the eighties I designed an exhibition at Selfridges all about the Livery Companies of London and so was lucky enough to visit lots of the Halls and I remember being blown away by all the lovely fishy detailing in the Fishmongers Hall…there seemed to be dolphins wherever you looked! And those fish paintings are completely wonderful.

For future Livery Hall visits I particularly recommend the Merchant Taylors Hall which is a delightful oasis in the middle of Threadneedle Street, or the Ironmongers Hall which is a charming mock Tudor building surrounded by the brutalism of the Barbican. The Salters Hall is an interesting modern hall built after their old hall was destroyed in the war.

By: Debra Matheney

Debra Matheney — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 17:44:42 +0000

Thank you. I loved the stained glass in particular.

By: Gary Arber

Gary Arber — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 17:23:14 +0000

I find it hard to equate such opulence with the fishmonger with his smelly apron in the high street.
Gary

By: Jennifer Newbold

Jennifer Newbold — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 16:06:08 +0000

When I think of fishing and London it is always Billingsgate Market that comes to mind, thanks to your photographs. This is something entirely more exalted (although without the market the Hall would have no raison d’etre)!

I always enjoy your posts with photos of the Guild Halls; they are places that I otherwise would never get to see. Thank you for sharing them with us.

By: Anne Scott

Anne Scott — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 14:15:48 +0000

Such a beautiful building! I enjoyed the tour. The fish sconce is a treat to see.

By: Linda Granfield

Linda Granfield — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 12:59:24 +0000

Yes, walked by but never went inside, until now.
And I agree–the candle sconce is spectacular!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 12:12:39 +0000

What an amazing place – didn’t even know it existed!

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 10:48:01 +0000

I was lucky enough to visit recently, what treasures they have, the pall is an amazing survival. And the oars and coats from Doggett’s race. I love the lantern light fitting in the halllway in the picture, but the new one which replaces it is very fishy indeed. There is so much hidden history in London

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 10:36:27 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, thank you for the great tour of Fishmongers Hall on the Thames. What a beautiful building, much in the vein of the Drapers’, Goldsmiths,’ Vinters’, and Stationers’ Hall that you described in earlier pieces. Obviously, these organizations thrived in their day and are still well maintained today. What impresses me most is the lighting and chandeliers in all of these palatial establishments.

And the Arnold von Hacken “fishscapes” were lovely …

By: Di Corry

Di Corry — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 09:46:20 +0000

Thank you GA for a wonderful tour around this amazing building, having passed it many times I’ve never been inside until now! Your photographs are superb and I particularly like your homage to the Escherian stairwell!
So many works of beauty for us all to see…..but the one that captured my heart was that exquisite silver candle sconce.