3-008-619 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Statue of the late Joseph Sturge at Birmingham, 1862. 'A statue to the memory of Joseph Sturge, the philanthropist...The memorial, which was raised by public subscription, is erected on a good site, at a place called Five Ways...The statue, sculptured by the late Mr. Thomas, is lifelike, and bears a close resemblance to the original. The hand rests upon a Bible which is placed upon a dwarf column...The left hand is stretched forth as though Mr. Sturge was in the act of addressing an assembly. Upon the base to his right is a figure of Charity, her left arm encircling an infant, while in her right hand she holds a bowl which a youthful negro eagerly presses to his lips. To the left is seated a female, symbolical of Peace, clasping a dove to her bosom with her right hand, and holding in her left hand a palm-branch, an olive wreath encircling her brow...At the front and back of the base are two spacious tazza-shaped basins, intended for fountains, while at the sides are shells, and above them floral orifices through which the liquid element may also issue. The plinth is of Darley stone, the basins and pedestals of Greensill stone, the subordinate figures of Portland stone, and the statue and base of Sicilian marble'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.