The Making of The Staffordshire Saxon

The Staffordshire Saxon was unveiled at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke on Trent on the 18th May 2012 before an audience of politicians, business leaders, civic dignitaries and Sentinel readers.

The giant warrior was funded by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent and Anthony Jones, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Wedgwood, who sponsored the exhibition detailing the making of the statue.

City council leader Mohammed Pervez said: "The unique thing about this magnificent 9ft-tall Saxon warrior is the path to its creation. This project is a shining example of what we can achieve together."

Mayor Fellows said: “I’d like to thank Andy Edwards and his apprentices for creating such a unique and striking statue. It is the perfect complement to the Staffordshire Hoard, and fitting to be associated with our summer exhibition, which is set to be the biggest and best display of the treasure yet. Museum staff are busy putting the finishing touches to the new exhibition which will feature new interpretation of the treasure and interactive displays.

Councillor Mark Meredith, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development, said:

“The statue adds another dimension to the stunning artefacts on display in the museum. It brings to life the intricately designed gold sword pommels, helmet fragments and knife fittings, by showing how a 7th Century battle-clad warrior would have looked wearing them. It is fantastic that apprentices have learned skills to help craft the statue, and hopefully they can go on to put those skills to further use in the future. The council’s investment in the statue is a sign of our commitment to displaying the treasure in the best possible way and it will be an attraction in its own right to bring people into the city.”

Sentinel Editor-In-Chief Mike Sassi said:

“The Staffordshire Saxon is a wonderful piece of art and makes a great statement about the city’s intent to harness the potential of the Staffordshire Hoard. In this time of great financial austerity, things never looks so grey, so dull when times tough. This statue makes things look bright, more interesting, a more inspirational place which is why Stoke-on-Trent City Council deserve full credit for commissioning this statue “It is fantastic that apprentices have learned skills to help craft the statue, and hopefully they can go on to put those skills to further use in the future. The council’s investment in the statue is a sign of our commitment to displaying the treasure in the best possible way and it will be an attraction in its own right to bring people into the city.”