Chislehurst Caves
Poster
ca. 1929 (made)
ca. 1929 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Chislehurst Caves comprise a 22-mile-long series of intersecting tunnels in Chislehurst, Bromley, in southeast London. They were used for chalk mining and flint mining from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The caves became a popular tourist attraction in the early 20th century. In 1903 an archaeologist advanced the theory that the mines were the work Druids, as well as Romans and Saxons. Bacon’s design refers to this theory by showing two Druid-like robed figures. However this association is unlikely – the earliest documented evidence for the existence of a chalk cave on the site is dated 1737.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Chislehurst Caves (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Colour lithograph |
| Brief description | London Transport poster by C.W. Bacon. UK. |
| Physical description | Two mythological god-like figures with long grey beards rendered in a geometric style. The figures wear white robes accented with green pleats/ fluting. One holds an orange sicle and drinking goblet. Spear-shaped laurel leaves crown their heads. Black and turquoise background. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | Chislehurst Caves comprise a 22-mile-long series of intersecting tunnels in Chislehurst, Bromley, in southeast London. They were used for chalk mining and flint mining from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The caves became a popular tourist attraction in the early 20th century. In 1903 an archaeologist advanced the theory that the mines were the work Druids, as well as Romans and Saxons. Bacon’s design refers to this theory by showing two Druid-like robed figures. However this association is unlikely – the earliest documented evidence for the existence of a chalk cave on the site is dated 1737. |
| Other number | LS.1922 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.752-2004 |
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| Record created | September 22, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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