Historical information

Thomas Stoddart (1828 - 1905) bought 12 white marble statues during a visit to Italy. Stoddart arranged for them to be shipped to Victoria and placed on pedestals of Sicilian marble and on bases of Victorian granite. These statues were unveiled in the gardens on Queen Victoria's birthday, 24th May, 1884. His intention was for the statues to adorn and add interest to the gardens.
Roman goddess of flowers is watering flowers at her feet and is dressed in a classical garment. Flora is considered by many to be the masterpiece of the twelve because of the fi ne detail which creates such a pretty picture in stone. This portrayal of the Roman goddess of flowers shows her watering a pot of luscious blooms with a basket of flowers on her arm. Her position is a highly visible one between the Statuary Pavilion and the fernery pond.

Significance

The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of Ballarat

Physical description

White marble figure of a woman who is watering flowers at her feet and is dressed in a classical garment

Inscriptions & markings

Flora