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Fragment of the equestrian statue of King George III
Artist/Maker (1722 - 1803)
Related person (English, 1738 – 1820)

Fragment of the equestrian statue of King George III

1770-1776
andNew York, New York, United States, North America
Place madeEngland, Europe
Lead
Overall: 9 x 14 x 8 in. ( 22.9 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm )
Gift of Dr. Helen Weitzel Chapman in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood Ogden Chichester
2001.185
After listening to a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1776, Continental soldiers joined with patriotic New Yorkers in Bowling Green to tear down an equestrian statue of King George III. Fragments of the statue were transported to Litchfield, CT and made into bullets for the Revolutionary troops. It is believed that Connecticut Loyalists took some of the fragments and hid them in and around their homes, for pieces such as this have been found buried in the area.
DescriptionGilded lead statue fragment originally forming part of horse's foreleg
ClassificationsHISTORIC RELICS