Mythological Beasts and Birds at Burlington House

Next time you are walking through the gateway that leads from Piccadilly to The Royal Academy and many other fine societies and institutions that surround the courtyard, stop to take a look at the marvelous carvings on the pillars:

When I took these snaps on Tuesday, I had just attended a fascinating lunchtime talk at The Society of Antiquaries. The lecture was given by Ella Hawkins about who creates biscuits decorated to evoke Tudor fabrics, Victorian wallpapers and excavated sherds. Wow!