Statue of King Edward VII at Centenary Square

The statue of King Edward VII was sculpted by Albert Toft and dates to 1913. Was in Victoria Square until 1951, then Highgate Park until 2009. Restored and at Centenary Square from 2010.


Where is the statue of King Edward VII?

The Statue of King Edward VII is now in Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2ND

 

In brief

Following the death of King Edward VII in 1910, a memorial statue was created from public donations and unveiled in 1913. It was sculpted by Albert Toft. The statue was original located in Victoria Square, next to the statue of Queen Victoria, but the statue was later relocated to Highgate Park, when Victoria Square was remodelled in 1951. There it remained until 2009 (after heavy vandalism, and theft of original pieces). It was removed for repairs and restoration, and installed in Centenary Square at the end of 2010. The missing pieces were resculpted and installed in 2011.

The restored statue of King Edward VII in Centenary Square (July 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Statue of King Edward VII - history and details

The King Edward VII Memorial is a statue in memory of King Edward VII (Reign 1901-10).

Following the King's death in 1910, the Birmingham Mail launched an appeal to erect a statue in memory of Edward VII.

An area within Birmingham Children's Hospital (then at Ladywood Road in Five Ways) was allocated for it's location.

But it was decided to place the statue in Victoria Square next to that of Queen Victoria.

The statue would be over six feet tall, and it was difficult to find a large enough piece of Carrara marble for it's construction.

The problem was overcome and the project was well underway during 1912.

Sculpted by Albert Toft it was originally located at Victoria Square from 1913 until 1951.

Edward VII in Victoria SquareStatues of Edward VII and Victoria in Victoria Square, circa 1930. Getty Images

 

Following the remodelling work of Victoria Square in 1951, it was moved to Highgate Park.

King Edward VII Highgate ParkKing Edward VII statue, Highgate Park, Moseley Road, Highgate, Birmingham. Photo by the late Phyllis Nicklin,(1954). Copyright University of Birmingham

 

The statue was given Grade II listing status by Historic England in 1982.

It describes Edward VII as being dressed in Field Marshal's uniform and Garter Robes.

The bronze of Education and Progress was described as including youth and boy with model of Tower Bridge.

The bronze of Peace was described as a female seated figure with attributes, good flowing drapery and sensitive faces.

The front bronze was described as Act Nouvean composition in bronze of a crowned drapery niche containing a small figure of St George and the Dragon.

It remained in Highgate Park until 2009, but by then had suffered from vandalism (graffiti and theft of original pieces).

Edward VII Highgate ParkThe heavily vandalised Edward VII statue in Highgate Park during the 2000s. Courtesy of the Birmingham Post / Business Live

 

The Victorian Society lobbied Birmingham City Council to restored the statue and resite it back into the city centre.

An appeal was launched in 2007, and work was carried out by Cliveden Conservation in Bath starting in 2009.

The statue was installed at Centenary Square near Baskerville House by November 2010.

Edward VII Centenary SquareInstallation of the statue of Edward VII in Centenary Square (November 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The first restored bronze piece, along with the remade orb and sceptre were installed during December 2010.

Edward VII Centenary SquareFirst restored pieces on the statue of Edward VII in Centenary Square (December 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Followed by the bronzes of Peace and Education and Progress by June 2011.

Edward VII Centenary SquareInstallation of Peace, Education and Progress bronzes on the statue of Edward VII in Centenary Square (June 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Near the beginning of April 2022, the statue of King Edward VII was being scaffolding in Centenary Square. Probably having a clean up ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Edward VII Centenary SquareScaffolding around the King Edward VII in Centenary Square (April 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

By St George's Day in April 2022, the scaffolding is gone and the Statue of King Edward VII is looking somewhat clean again. Contrasted with the new Paradise Birmingham background.

Edward VII Centenary SquareStatue of King Edward VII in Centenary Square (April 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

By July 2022, wraps for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has gone around The Copthorne Hotel, behind the statue of King Edward VII.

Statue of King Edward VII in Centenary Square (July 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Edward VII Memorial - details

At the back of the plinth is the following (the Birmingham Children's Hospital at Ladywood Road, now Middleway was originally called the King Edward VII Memorial Children's Hospital). And it was originally intended that the statue would be placed there, and not at Victoria Square in 1913.

This statue together with the King Edward VII Memorial Children's Hospital was erected by public subscription in loyal commemoration of the beneficent life and reign of a beloved Monarch, and was unveiled by H.R.H. Princess Louise. April 23rd 1913

Edward VII Centenary SquareInscription on the plinth of the statue of Edward VII in Centenary Square (December 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The tips of the original orb and sceptre were remade and were installed onto the statue of Edward VII during December 2010.

Edward VII Centenary SquareRestored orb and sceptre of the statue of Edward VII in Centenary Square (December 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Bronze pieces

The first bronze piece to be recast was installed on the plinth during December 2010, and is above 'Edward VII 1901 - 1910'.

Edward VII Centenary SquareBronze piece at the front of the plinth below the statue of Edward VII in Centenary Square (December 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The remaining bronze pieces were recast and later installed on the plinth below the statue during June 2011. 

On one side is 'Peace'.

Edward VII Centenary SquareBronze Peace on the plinth below the statue of Edward VII in Centenary Square (July 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

On the other side is 'Education and Progress'.

Edward VII Centenary SquareBronze Education and Progress on the plinth below the statue of Edward VII in Centenary Square (July 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

16 Apr 2022 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Civic pride, Art; Culture & creativity

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com