The unique sculpture that captures game’s spirit
A ONE-OFF sculpture which embodies the spirit of Shrovetide has gone on display in an Ashbourne jewellery shop.
The artwork, commissioned in 2016 by Ashbourne-born retired GP and pharmaceuticals entrepreneur Dr Dallas Burston was designed to encapsulate the action from the hug, and it was made collaboratively by a team of nine talented artists and craftspeople at Wheathills of Derby.
The priceless piece is on display to the public for the first time until March 11 at CW Sellors Jewellers in Victoria Square, with its launch timed to coincide with the timing of this year’s game.
Wheathills bosses say they hope many people will drop by to see the sculpture, which was more than two years in the making.
Wheathills owner Nigel Heldreich said: “We are delighted that our sculpture is now enjoying its debut showing.
“It was an honour to create this tribute to the annual Royal Shrovetide football match and in particular to record and encapsulate the very spirit of the actual 2017 game.
“It is so fitting that the debut presentation of the piece is in the market town of Ashbourne, which has hosted the game for many centuries.”
Dr Burston, who made his fortune in the pharmaceutical industry, and owns a famous polo club in Warwickshire, was invited to turn up a Shrovetide ball in 2017 and regularly returns to his home town to attend the matches. His sculpture, which stands more than four feet tall, is made from walnut and yew and its most striking element is a large and dramatic three-dimensional carving of four hands holding aloft the Royal Shrovetide football, which neatly conveys the vigour, energy and intense physicality of the game.
The work incorporates a memory box decorated with four brightly coloured panels of marquetry capturing composite scenes from the 2017 game.
The depicted scenes include 75 tiny detailed portraits of characters present at the event, based on actual photograph footage.
The memory box opens to reveal a concealed whisky tantalus.
The legs of the stand of the sculpture are carved with details such as creeping wintry ivy, which is a reference to the time of year the game is played.
Connor Sweeney, senior store manager at CW Sellors said: “This is obviously an exceptional piece of work that really showcases the tradition of Shrovetide in Ashbourne to the world.
“It’s unbelievable what the creative team at Wheathills have achieved. “Everybody walking by is stopping to have a look and people are appreciating the craftsmanship and level of skill it takes to produce something of this quality.
“Shrovetide is part of the very fabric of this town and so this work is very much appreciated in our area.
“As a local family run business, we feel privileged to be able to display it.”
It was an honour to create this tribute to the annual Royal Shrovetide football match.
Nigel Heldreich