In 1995, to celebrate the area’s history and cultural diversity, 25 cast iron roundels, with 20 different patterns, were set into pavements around Spitalfields. Each roundel, looks about the same size as the Victorian 'coal-hole' cover. It carried an image telling a story. The artist, Keith Bowler, who has lived in Spitalfields for many years, designed them and had them cast locally. After 11 years had elapsed, a search was made in 2006 to find them and see how many remained. Only 12 were found. The original 25 roundels are listed below. A set of images for the remaining 12 are included, at the bottom of the list, reproduced in sepia for maximum contrast.

Street Name (number of roundels) - whether found in 2006
(a) Exact location
(b) design
(c) significance of roundel

Artillery Passage (1) - not found
(a) original location not known
(b) arrows
(c) marking the site of the Honourable Artillery Ground

Elder Street (1) - roundel found
(a) outside No 32 Elder Street, west side
(b) figures on a Merry-go-round, taken from Mark Gertler's painting
(c) marking the one-time home of Mark Gertler

Brick Lane (1) - roundel found
(a) outside old Black Eagle Brewery, west side of Brick Lane
(b) four tankards around a Black Eagle
(c) marking site of Black Eagle Brewery

Brick Lane (1) - roundel found
(a) outside Christ Church School, west side of Brick Lane
(b) two children, dressed in 18th century costume, shown as pictures in a book,
 - surrounded by eight pencils
(c) marking site of the school, which is still in use

Brick Lane (1) - roundel found
(a) outside the Health Centre, west side of Brick Lane, near junction with Wentworth Street
(b) decorated hand
(c) not known

Brick Lane (2) - one roundel found
(a) outside Great Mosque, west side of Brick Lane, at junction with Fournier Street
 - the second one was on the Fournier Street side of the Great Mosque
(b) world map
(c) immigration into the area

Brick Lane (1) - roundel found
(a) outside No 104 Brick Lane, east side, at junction with Princelet Street
(b) four pairs of scissors and buttons
(c) local textile trade

Brune Street (1) - not found
(a) located at Nos 17-19
(b) bread and salt
(c) marking the site of the Jewish Soup Kitchen, now flats

Commercial Street (1) - not found
(a) located at No 76 Commercial Street
(b) the sea
(c) sailor settlers

Commercial Street (1) - roundel found
(a) located at Nos 135-153
(b) keys and door bells
(c) marking site of first Peabody tenements

Folgate Street (1) - roundel found
(a) located in Folgate Street, north side, just east of Elder Street
(b) shuttle and bobbins
(c) marking site of local weaving trade

Fournier Street (1) - roundel found
(a) outside Rectory, south side of Fournier Street, just east of Christ Church
(b) silk design, based on Anna Maria Garthwaite’s work
(c) marking site of local silk-weaving trade

Hanbury Street (1) - roundel found
(a) outside No 22a Hanbury Street, south side
(b) match-stick figures
(c) marking the building in which the match girls met to plan their strike

Middlesex Street (1) - not found
(a) original location not known
(b) purse and coins
(c) marking the market area

Osborne Street (1) - not found
(a) original location not known
(b) curry spices
(c) marking the shops selling Asian food
 
Princelet Street (1) - roundel found
(a) located at No 6 Princelet Street, south side
(b) viola
(c) marking the residences of the Jewish community
 
Puma Court (1) - roundel found
(a) located in the centre of the walkway, half-way along Puma Court
(b) childern's toys - whipping top and marbles
(c) marking the site of a children’s play area

Sandys Row (1) - not found
(a) original location not known
(b) the sea
(c) marking the site of sailor settlers

Spitalfield Market (4) - one roundel found
(a) one roundel remains at the corner of Commercial Street and Brushfield Street,
 - at the corner of the old Spitalfields Market
 - originally there was one at each corner of the market buildings
(b) apples and pears
(c) marking the one-time fruit and vegetable market

Tenter Ground (1) - not found
(a) original location not known
(b) silk design
(c) marking the site of cloth processing - 'tenter hooks'

Wentworth Street (1) - not found
(a) original location not known
(b) purse and coins
(c) marking the market area
 

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Spitalfields Market (top left); Folgate Street (top right)

Elder Street (bottom left); Hanbury Street (bottom right)

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Fournier Street (top left); Brick Lane (top right) - Black Eagle Brewery

Brick Lane (bottom left) - Great Mosque; Brick Lane (bottom right) - No 104

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Brick Lane (top left) - school; Brick Lane (top right) - Health Centre

Puma Court (bottom left); Princelet Street (bottom right)

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-ENDS-