The Grand Staircase

The statue at the foot of the Grand Staircase is of the first Lord Mayor of Sheffield, the 15th Duke of Norfolk. He is wearing the dress of a Knight of the Garter with riband and the Mayoral robe and chain.

 

Both this statue and the marble bust of Queen Victoria, further up the Grand Staircase, are both by E. Onslow Ford.

 

The walls are lined with veined Derbyshire and Devonshire marble in alternate layers of light and dark colour. 

 

The impressive carvings on the walls surrounding the skylight depict various trades, the arts, crafts and music.

Suspended from the centre is a bronze "electrolier" designed to represent the globe encircled by the signs of the zodiac, looked over by four angels who illuminate the four corners of the earth.  This was the original electric light for the Grand Staircase.

 

Near the top of the staircase is the Ante Room of the Council Chamber containing photographs of past Lord Mayors.  Over the door is carved a semi-circular panel showing a figure, a serpent and doves, with a text, "Be ye as wise as serpents and harmless as doves".

At the head of the staircase is the Grand Corridor that is also lined with marble. This is 46 metres in length.