Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to this day. In all these pubs, the fittings - the brewers' advertisements in engraved and
etched plate glass, the beer-pulls of porcelain delightfully decorated with roses, gold rings,
or the willow pattern, the elaborate central wagon or island that served all the bars, includ-
ing the jug and bottle, even the gas or electric light fittings - were designed to create a
compelling, lavish atmosphere. Fine examples of embossed and etched glass sometimes in
combination with back painting occur all over London, but perhaps the finest are those in
the Red Lion, St James's, a pub full of panels in embossed mirror glass. Gas lights were
placed in the main pub windows, two or three to each window, stemming from a highly
polished brass bar. At first open fish-tail burners were used; later highly decorated globes
replaced the gas flares. These fitments can still be found in London, occasionally, if still in
use, converted to electric light.
Art nouveau
: The Black Friar
The bar counter and its imposing fittings is invariably the
pièce de résistance
of the Lon-
don pub. Mostly horseshoe-shaped on plan, the island rises in an infinite number of curly
