Statue of Queen Anne, Minehead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Queen Anne |
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| Location | Minehead, Somerset, England |
| Built | 1719 |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Statue of Queen Anne | |
| Designated | 4 July 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1207015 |
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The Statue of Queen Anne is a famous sculpture found in Minehead, a town in Somerset, England. It was created a long time ago, in 1719. This statue is very important, so it's protected as a Grade II* listed building, which means it has special historical or architectural value.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
This statue shows Queen Anne wearing her fancy court dress. Queen Anne was the ruler of Great Britain from 1702 to 1714.
Who Designed the Statue?
The statue was designed by a famous artist named Francis Bird. He had also made another sculpture of Queen Anne for St Paul's Cathedral in London. Sir Jacob Bancks, who was a local Member of Parliament for Minehead, asked Bird to create this statue. A Member of Parliament is a person elected to represent an area in the country's government.
Why Were Queen Anne Statues Popular?
During Queen Anne's time, it was very popular to have statues of her. They were seen as a "fashionable ornament" or a stylish decoration.
Where Has the Statue Been?
The statue was first placed in St Michael's Church. In 1880, it was moved when the church was being repaired. People thought it would go into the town hall. However, people raised money to build a special cover for it. So, in 1893, it was put back up in its current spot.
How the Statue Was Built
The main part of the statue is made from a material called alabaster. This is a soft, white stone often used for sculptures.
The Pedestal and Canopy
The base, called a pedestal, and the roof-like cover, called a canopy, were added later in 1893. These parts were made by H. Dare Bryan. They are built from Carrara marble, which is a beautiful white marble from Italy. Above the statue, there's a decorative edge called a cornice with small block-like shapes, known as dentils.
