Long Description:From the
'http://www.publicartaroundtheworld.com/Choragic_Monument.html'
target=_blank >Botanic Gardens Trust website:
Carved sandstone replica of the Choragic Monument of
Lysicrates, executed by Walter McGill for Sir James Martin, Premier
of New South Wales, 1870, for his residence in Macleay Street.
Presented to the Royal Botanic Gardens in 1943.
From the
'http://www.publicartaroundtheworld.com/Choragic_Monument.html'
target=_blank >Public Art Around the World website:
Public Art: Choragic Monument
Sculptor: © Walter McGill
Date: Completed in 1870
Description: Carved yellowblock sandstone copy of the
circular Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens, built according
to the Corinthian order. The monument features carved scenes
depicting episodes from the myth of Dionysus. It also features six
Corinthian columns.
Location: Originally erected at Sir James Martin (Premier
of New South Wales) home at Macleay Street, Potts Point in 1870,
the Choragic Monument was moved to the Royal Botanic Gardens on the
16th November, 1943.
History of the Choragic Monument: The Choragic Monument
is a copy of the original monument of Lysicrates which dates back
to 334 BC and still stands near the Acropolis in Athens. Sydney
stonemason, Walter McGill, carved the circular monument from
Pyrmont yellowblock sandstone, in 1870, by request of the former
Premier of New South Wales, Sir James Martin. Sir Martin wanted to
have it displayed in his garden at Potts Point. In 1943 it was
removed from Potts Point and moved to the Royal Botanic Garden.
Today, it remains one of the finest examples of Corinthian
architecture in Australia.
History of the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates: The
original Monument of Lysicrates was built in Athens around 334BC to
display the first prize given to Lysicrates of Kikyna, who won a
drama contest at the festival of Bacchus. The monument was just one
that was used to line the street of Tripods. The trophy would have
been placed at the very top of the monument.
Inscription: This replica of the Choragic Monument of
Lysicrates was executed by Walter McGill, sculptor for Sir James
Martin, Premier of New South Wales and was erected in the grounds
of his residence at Macleay Street, Potts Point in the year
1870.
When that site was acquired by the Commonwealth Government in
connection with the construction of the graving dock the monument
was made available to the State and was removed to the Botanical
Gardens at the request of the Minister for Education the Hon Clive
R. Evatt, K.C., M.L.A.
A ceremony to commemorate the re-erection of the monument on
this site was preformed by the Hon W.J.McKell M.L.A. Premier and
Treasurer 16th November, 1943.
The original monument which had a square base 12 feet high was
erected in Athens about the year 330 BC to receive the victors
tripod won by Lysicrates at the festival of Bacchus in that
year.