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

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