BIRMINGHAM’S famous statue of Queen Victoria will be returned to its former glory today when her missing sceptre is returned.
The restoration of the bronze tribute, created in marble by sculptor Thomas Brock following the Queen’s death in 1901, follows detective work by the Victorian Society.
Victoria’s sceptre, cradled in her right hand, has been missing its top, known as a capital, since the early 1990s.
The missing capital was amended to incorporate the Star of India in 1908. The Victorian Society unearthed photographs of the original and, working with the city council, commissioned Eura Conservation to recreate it.
Society regional chairman Stephen Hartland said: “Many of our campaigns are large but we are also able to call on our knowledge and expertise in smaller matters.”
Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, Coun Martin Mullaney, said: “This took a bit of detective work but now the statue can be restored to its former glory.”
The statue was recast in bronze by William Boyle in 1958.