Art Deco Carved Panels

Government Buildings , Kildare Street Dublin.

carved panel by Ms G Hayes Ms Gabriel Hayes, sculptor, completed a series of exterior decorative panels and some carved heads to ornament the new Government Buildings in Kildare Street Dublin in 1942. The picture above is one of a series illustrating Irish industries. This panel, commemorating shipbuilding, is badly stained. Other panels include pottery making and, not so politically correct nowdays, the tobacco industry.

The picture below, over the main doorway, represents the ancient Irish God, Lugh, releasing three aircraft. This is perhaps the most obviously art deco inspired work of the group and seems to have been influenced by Eric Gill. The offices of the civil service dealing with aviation were then located here. Much, much later Ms Hayes designed some of the Irish decimal copper coinage, so you may also have a work of art by her in your pocket.

Carved panel representing the God Lugh, by G Hayes 1942, on the former Department of Industry and Commerce, Kildare Street,Dublin.

Photographs 1998

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