The sugar refinery of businessman and philanthropist Conrad Finzel dominated the centre of Bristol in the 19th
century, until the late 1870s, on the site now being redeveloped as
Finzel’s Reach. Sugar refining was among the most significant
industries in Bristol in the 18th and 19th
centuries, but Bristol Museums & Galleries has little in the way of
artefacts in its collections to reflect this. Finzel made a major
contribution to the technology of the industry and ran the largest
refinery in the city. His philanthropic work included supporting the
Muller Orphanage.
This large bust was carved by ‘G. Papworth of London’ in 1856 and
stands on an oak pedestal, made from timber reclaimed from the 17th century Fourteen Stars tavern demolished to make way for the refinery.
Edgar George Papworth Senior (1809-1866) and Edgar George Papworth
Junior (1832-1927) were both sculptors and it is unclear which may have
carved this bust as both were active at the time. Both exhibited at the
Royal Academy, Papworth Junior exhibiting over 50 sculptures between
1852 and 1832. Papworth Senior was a pupil of Edward Hodges Baily,
sculptor of Eve at the Fountain (displayed in Bristol Museum & Art
Gallery) and of Nelson on Nelson’s Column in London.
The bust, once displayed at the Colston Hall, came into the hands of
the then landlord of the Shakespeare in Totterdown, at which pub it
resided from the mid 1980s until 1999. During its time there the bust
acquired a new life, known to a generation of customers as ‘Ed’ and was
dressed according to the season.
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives are delighted to have been
offered the opportunity to add the bust to the city’s collections and
are grateful to the vendor and both the Friends of Bristol Museums,
Galleries & Archives and the Friends of Bristol Art Gallery who have
shared the £2750 cost of acquisition. The intention is to display the
bust in M Shed where its 19th century and more contemporary history will be interpreted for visitors.
Text & image courtesy of Ray Barnett BMAG
