Dunham Massey Hall sundial

The Dunham Massey Hall sundial is a lead sculpture depicting a kneeling Black man holding a sundial on his head. It was created during the early 18th century, and is variously attributed to Andries Carpentière and Jan van Nost.[1][2]

Dunham Massey Hall sundial
The sundial in 2016

Close to the sculpture is a plaque containing the words: “This sundial is in the style of one commissioned by King William III. It represents Africa, one of four continents known at the time. The figure depicts a Moor, not a slave, and he has knelt here since before 1750.”[3]

The sculpture has been described as a degrading depiction of its subject, apparently a caricature called a blackamoor. It was removed from its location outside the National Trust-owned Dunham Massey Hall in June 2020 amid a global wave of statue removals during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.[2][4]

References

1. "Dunham Massey says it is "reviewing" a statue depicting a black figure carrying a sundial". Altrincham Today. 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
2. "Stately home's 'degrading' statue removed". BBC News. 2020-06-12. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
3. Fitzpatrick, John (2020-06-12). "National Trust removes 'degrading' statue of kneeling black man from stately home". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
4. "Dunham Massey removes sundial statue as National Trust admits it causes "upset and distress"". Altrincham Today. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2020-06-14.