Coade Stone Lion

Coade stone is a ceramic material developed around 1770 by Eleanor Coade for statues.  Although Eleanor Coade has remained more obscure than she really should be, her work is easy to see in London.  The stone lions on the South Bank end of Westminster Bridge have stood the acid rain and air pollution of London much better than statues made from other materials, and look almost as good as new.  They used to adorn the Red Lion Brewery in Lambeth, but they look very appropriate so close to Parliament.