Dolphin lamp standards provide electric light along much of theThames Embankment in London, United Kingdom. Two stylised dolphins or sturgeons writhe around the base of a standard lamp post, supporting a fluted column bearing electric lights in an opaque white globe, topped by a metal crown. Many of the lamps are mounted on granite plinths.
In the late 1860s, the LondonMetropolitan Board of Works decided to light the new Thames embankments with electric lights, and asked for submissions of designs. Several possible designs were published in the contemporary illustrated press including theIllustrated London News andThe Builder in March 1870, including Vulliamy's "dolphin" design; a design byTimothy Butler decorated with climbing children and an overflowing cornucopia, cast by theCoalbrookdale Company; and a more restrained classical design byJoseph Bazalgette decorated with lion's feet, inspired by classicaltripods, and modelled by S. Burnett.
Vulliamy had become superintending architect to the Metropolitan Board of Works in March 1861, and he also designed benches for the embankments with cast iron ends in the form of sphinxes and camels, inspired byCleopatra's Needle. Bazalgette was the Board's chief engineer.
Vulliamy's lamp design was the most popular, and examples of his design dominate theVictoria Embankment andAlbert Embankment. Bazalgette's design was used along theChelsea Embankment. Butler's design was used in very limited numbers, with at least two near the Chelsea Embankment. The lamps originally used electricYablochkov candles, but the early electric lights were inefficient and were replaced bygas lights by 1884. They were converted back to electricity in 1900. Many now have a Grade IIlisting.
Further dolphin lamp posts were added on the north and south banks of the Thames in 1977, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee ofQueen Elizabeth II.
Yablochkov candles on the Victoria Embankment, December 1878, alternating with the original gas standards to show the difference
Dolphin lamp post on the Albert Embankment, on the south side of the Thames, between Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo Bridge
Dolphin lamp post on the Albert Embankment, between Lambeth Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge
