Rebuilt Josiah Wedgwood statue to be unveiled

The sculpture of Josiah Wedgwood will be unveiled at the potter's former home

A rebuilt sculpture of world-famous potter Josiah Wedgwood, which was inadvertently demolished two years ago, will be unveiled at his former home.

The brick-built head, known as Capo, has been installed at Etruria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent and will be officially revealed in a ceremony on Sunday.

It was reduced to rubble in 2023 during works to regenerate Etruria Valley, sparking the resignation of the authority's former deputy leader Daniel Jellyman, who gave the go-ahead for the demolition.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Jane Ashworth said she was "incredibly pleased" the rebuilt sculpture would be unveiled during the city's centenary year.

"Josiah Wedgwood is one of our city's most influential figures – a giant of the ceramics industry – and his legacy continues to shape Stoke-on-Trent's identity today," she said.

"It's especially fitting that the sculpture will stand once again in the grounds of the home he built and lived in."

The Capo sculpture was inadvertently demolished in 2023

Capo was created by artist Vincent Woropay for the 1986 National Garden Festival and was installed at Etruria Hall in 2009.

After it was demolished, the structure was restored by Hanley-based heritage construction firm Alliance Technical Services, using many of the original bricks.

The council said it had worked closely with the family of Mr Woropay, who died in 2002, to "ensure the sculpture's distinctive character and craftsmanship have been restored".

The unveiling will be attended by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Steve Watkins, and the artist's widow, Chloe Chard.