Sir Winston Churchill Memorial by Ivor Roberts-Jones

Ivor Roberts-Jones
1916-1996 | British

Sir Winston Churchill Memorial

Bronze

This exceptional and iconic sculpture of Sir Winston Churchill is the original maquette for the renowned Churchill statue in Parliament Square by Ivor Roberts-Jones. Depicting Churchill in his garter robes, this sculpture is completely unique and depicts one of history's most revered leaders.

Sir Winston Churchill's unwavering resolve and exceptional leadership left an undeniable and enduring legacy. Upon his passing, a sculpture was commissioned to be unveiled in 1971 at the prominent Parliament Square in London. The Winston Churchill Statue Committee orchestrated an artistic search to honor the Prime Minister’s indomitable leadership with a fitting tribute. The winner of the highly competitive committee’s design competition in 1969 was Ivor Roberts-Jones, a distinguished graduate of the renowned Royal Academy of Arts.

For this important statue, Roberts-Jones chose to depict Churchill wearing his Order of the Garter robes — his velvet mantle, a hat and ceremonial elements — to appropriately symbolize the great leader's immense honor and dignity. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Britain, founded in 1348 by King Edward III. Membership is granted exclusively to those who have served the nation exceptionally, as exemplified by Winston Churchill's significant leadership during World War II. Upon viewing Robert-Jone’s sculpture, the Royal Fine Arts Commission made a few tweaks and then unanimously approved his design. 

After receiving a wish from Lady Clementine to depict her husband in military attire, Roberts-Jones began his revision, and the original maquette bronze, this very statue, was gifted to Sir John Tilney, the chairman of the Winston Churchill Statue Committee. Eventually, the public was presented with the statue of Churchill, which has become the second most recognizable public statue in the United Kingdom after Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square. This maquette was the only example ever made that showcases the original winning design approved by the Royal Fine Arts Commission, and was featured on The Finest Hour’s 1996 cover. It was loved and safeguarded by Tilney until his passing. Tilney’s wife later bestowed her late husband’s prized statue to the International Churchill Committee chairman, also the future husband of one of Churchill’s great-granddaughters. We have acquired this masterpiece directly from them.

The statue was paid for with donations. Donors to create it included Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Prince Phillip, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Baroness Spencer-Churchill. It comes with its unique handwritten vellum book. 

Circa 1970

Statue: 36" high x 23" wide x 12 3/8" deep
On base: 67" high

Provenance: Private collection of Sir John Tilney
Private collection, United Kingdom