House of the Four Mamlases, Brno, Czech Republic

Sculpture, Brno, Czech Republic

I was intrigued by the four figures on the House of the Four Mamlases on the  eastern side of Brno’s main square, Namesti Svobody.  Designed in 1928 by German architect Germano Wanderley, the figures resemble Atlas holding up the world. Guide books describe them as four morons trying to hold up the building and their pants at the same time. Apparently, mamlas is a slur meaning ninny, clumsy, stupid, nincompoop, or pratt. I wasn’t able to determine if the building was christened the House of the Four Ninnies or it is a later nickname. I do agree they don’t look like the four sharpest tacks on the board.

WPC: Faces