The fine examples of human ornamentation illustrated in the decorative plasterwork below were found in our conservation and restoration project at the Royal College of Music, London.

One of the Greek Musai (Muses), Goddess of music, overlooking the music auditorium.

Alongside the goddess, the corbels and wall plaques also pay a great interest to the music.

Human-based figures can be seen throughout most periods of architecture, often in a religious context; and at other times combined with animals to create more bizarre designs.

Commonly seen examples are Cupid; Putti; and Atlas.