Duke & Duchess of York Memorial [also known as Temperance] 1901

Churchman & Sons, J.

Registration number

1086755

Artist/maker

Churchman & Sons, J.

Title

Duke & Duchess of York Memorial [also known as Temperance]

Production date

1901

Medium

marble, granite, sandstone

Dimensions (H x W x D)

200 cm (height approx.)

Inscriptions

IN COMMEMORATION / OF THE VISIT OF / THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES / THE DUKE AND DUCHESS / OF / CORNWALL AND YORK / AD 1901. / DESIGNED AND ERECTED / BY J. CHURCHMAN & SON, CARLTON. / FOR GOD, HOME AND HUMANITY / PRESENTED TO / THE MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL / BY THE / WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN / TEMPERANCE UNION OF / VICTORIA.

Credit line

Presented to the City of Melbourne by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union of Australia, 1901
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Duke & Duchess of York Memorial (aka Temperance), J. Churchman & Sons, marble, granite and sandstone drinking fountain, 1901, Victoria Square, cnr Elizabeth & Victoria Sts

Summary

Location: Victoria Square, cnr Elizabeth & Victoria streets

Memorial stone drinking fountain enclosed by four turned sandstone pillars and stone canopy with painted gothic arches. The canopy surmounted by a symbolic "Rule Britannia" figure - a draped sculpture of a woman holding an anchor.

This stone drinking fountain commemorates the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, who visited Australia soon after Edward VII’s ascension to the throne. During their stay in Melbourne, they opened the first Federal Parliament on 9 May 1901.

The memorial fountain, with its sandstone pillars and symbolic figure of Britannia, was presented to the City of Melbourne by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union of Australia in an effort to promote abstinence. In part, its inscription reads: ‘For God, home and humanity’