Jeppe High School for Boys, Payne Hall Ceiling - Ornate Plaster Ceiling Squares
When I started at Jeppe in 2002, I thought that these were beautiful ornate metal air-vents.
When the ceiling started to crack and they had to do emergency repairs, these squares had to be removed.
Turns out that they were not metal but plaster, with the Tudor Rose of England in the center, 4 Fleur De Lis on the 4 corners and ornate moulding and swirls.
Why are there Fleur De Lis and Roses on the squares?
A snip from the website below,
England’s National Flower is a Rose
The rose has been England’s national flower since the War of the Roses (1455-1485). It is the white rose of the House of York which lies at the centre of the Tudor Rose, with the red rose of the House of Lancaster surrounding it. The design was created especially to symbolise unity as well as mutual regard for the families towards each other.
Tudor Rose of England
Look at the architecture of many old buildings in England, and you will most likely see a Tudor Rose somewhere. They can appear on ceilings, in mouldings and as reliefs in all kinds of historic buildings. Some of the best examples of its use can be found on Gate in London. Builders, masons and architects would have the rose installed anywhere they thought was appropriate.
Designing the Tudor Rose
Henry Tudor was part of the House of , Elizabeth was of the House of York. These were the two most powerful of all of the noble families in England at the time. The Lancastrian faction was rising against Richard III who was a Yorkist. The rebellion being instigated by the disappearance of the two young princes in the Tower of London. The princes being the young sons of Edward IV.
Richard was defeated in the Battle of Bosworth Field leaving the way open for Henry to take the throne, which his did, becoming King Henry VII. This marked the birth of the Tudor Dynasty which was to follow. His claim on the throne however was not as solid as he would have liked, therefore a marriage to Elizabeth of York would solidify his claim as she was the daughter of Edward IV. The floral emblems of the two houses were merged which created what became known as the Tudor Rose.
http://elizabethanenglandlife.com/thetudorsfacts/the-tudor-rose-symbol.html
Unfortunately when removed, the plaster squares broke into pieces (which now grace my garden - I'm sentimental).
One of the broken Fleur De Lis Plaster corners in my garden
As far as I know only one square remained intact (no idea where it is)
The plaster ceiling square, it had Fleur De Lis on each corner (photo by J Meintjes - that's why the Fleur De Lis are cut off). There is a Tudor Rose in the middle.
I tried to find out who made these squares but could find no information only that they were possibly installed 1909-1911 (can't remember where I read that)
The only picture I could find online of a similar plaster square was from a Masonic Lodge.
Jeppestown Masonic Lodge Ceiling detail
Did you know that Sir Julius and his brothers were all Freemasons?
When I saw a pic of the Masonic Hall it became more interesting, not only does Payne Hall and the Masonic Lodge have the plaster ceiling squares in common but the entire school building shares similar architecture.
Entrance Pillars
Facades
Lanterns
Sir Herbert Baker was a Freemason too!
Jeppe High School for Boys Facade
Click on the links below and view other Masonic building, have a look at their facades.
What do you think?
I was able to re-unite the wheels with the Oldsmobile. I have turned it into an artwork "Oldsmobile"
