A little-known Victorian bollard has been silently protecting Walworth pedestrians from horses, carts and automobiles for roughly 100 years.
Dubbed the ‘silent sentinel’ by social media users, the zebra-striped iron protrusion sits at the east end of Iliffe Street near the Pullens Estate.
Its exact birthday is unknown but its ornate features and hallmark suggest Queen Victoria reigned when it was constructed.
While the untrained eye might pass over this discreet symbol of a by-gone age, it has gained a reputation among bollard enthusiasts.
Bollard blogger ‘Bollards of London’ wrote: “Nice rounded top, wonderful small balls surrounding two edges and then the bollard tapers.
“The column which is an octagon which has a base that flairs outwards giving the bollard a much stronger wider base… a gem of a bollard.”
The hallmark at the base reads ‘The Thames Bank Iron Company London’ – an ironmongers responsible for many of London’s lamps, fences and posts.
The bollard’s home, the Pullens Estate, is also an area of historical interest. It was built by James Pullen, a local builder, who purchased the land and developed it from 1806 to 1901.
In 2012 the area, gained conversation status and the exceptional little bollard got several mentions in council documents.
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Rumour has it that, in 2009, the bollard got a makeover when the Pullens Estate provided the backdrop to scenes in Colin Firth’s blockbuster ‘The King’s Speech’.
The estate was used to depict the 1930s home of speech therapist Lionel Logue and was covered in vintage posters advertising products like Bovril.
Rumour has it that the bollard got its distinctive black-and-white paint job during the 2009 filming.
However, a look through old images of the street show the bollard had its unique paint-job at least as early as 2008, suggesting it got a makeover sometime before filming took place.
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