GALLERY: Controversial bronze statue of Elizabeth II reaches major milestone
A statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II has reached another significant stage in its production.
Believed to be England's first permanent memorial to the monarch, the statue is due to be put up outside Oakham Library.
The head of the queen was cast in bronze at a ceremony attended by sculptor Hywel Pratley.
Bronze metal was heated to a temperature of 1140 degrees Celsius, before being poured into a ceramic mould to form the Queen's head.
Watched by VIP guests, including Dr Sarah Furness, Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, who has been behind the project, the molten bronze was poured at Le Blanc Fine Arts Foundry in Saxby, near Melton Mowbray.
Once cool enough to handle, the bronze head was then removed from the ceramic casing in the only way possible – by hitting it with a lump hammer.
After sand blasting away the ceramic residue, the head of the late Queen Elizabeth II was there for all to see.
Mr Pratley said: "I've been stressed all morning, but it's come out beautifully – we've had a very intense time burning out the wax and putting the ceramic shells into the sandpit, all of which went smoothly.
"Now we've cast in bronze the first 15 pieces of the statue, including the queen's head with crown on of course. There are 35 pieces in all making up the final 7ft tall statue.
"We've just cracked open the head revealing her 'portrait', and it has poured beautifully so I can breathe a sigh of relief at last."
Dr Furness said: "Having just seen the pouring of the bronze for the Queen's head I feel elated.
"It has been just on a year since I first had thoughts about this project, and now we are nearly there – it is very exciting."
Once all the parts have been cast in bronze, it will take several weeks for them all to be welded together.
The first stage of the process had been a clay model, which was they covered in a thin layer of pink silicone rubber mixture to create an accurate mould, from which the brass statue is cast.
The statue has cost £125,000 but the vast majority has been paid for by private donation. It will sit on a 5ft stone plinth, with three corgi dogs also cast in bronze.
Earlier this month planning permission was given by Rutland County Council for the statue to be positioned in the gardens at the back of Oakham Library in Catmose Street.
The unveiling of the statue is hoped to take place in the early part of next year.
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