Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
13445
Building Number
Grade
II*
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
30/07/1990
Date of Amendment
30/03/1995
Name of Property
Pedestal and Statue of David Davies
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Vale of Glamorgan
Community
Barry
Town
Locality
Barry Dock
Easting
312212
Northing
167615
Street Side
Location
On the seaward side of the road in front of the main elevation of the Barry Dock Board Offices. Faces S overlooking the docks.
Description
Broad Class
Commemorative
Period
History
David Davies (1818-1890) was a self-made engineer, industrialist and entrepreneur. He was contractor of some of the earliest railway lines in Wales. He then went into coal-production as chairman of the Ocean Coal Company and it was this venture and the inability of the Bute Docks at Cardiff to handle the quantities of coal, that led to plans for a new dock at Barry as well as the necessary railway connection. In 1881, Davies was amongst a group of businessmen who promoted the Barry Dock and Railways Bill which was passed in 1884. The docks were responsible for the growth of Barry as an urban centre, and in terms of tonnage of exports amongst the busiest ports in the world.
Exterior
Designed by Alfred Gilbert, sculptor, of London, one of most important sculptors of his day (eg Eros, Piccadilly Circus, Duke of Clarence Tomb, Windsor); bronze figure founded by George Broad and Sons, London. Standing figure of David Davies with left foot forward and studying plans of his dock and railway developments. Square granite pedestal stepped out to high base and broad cornice. Inscribed panels commemorating Davies as "Chief Promoter of the Barry Dock and Railway Company". Square platform with cap-like ornament to corners. Statue circa 2.7m high; pedestal circa 2.4m high.
A contemporary copy of this statue exists at Llandinam, Davies' birthplace.
Interior
Reason for designation
Graded II* as the work of one of Britain's most important sculptors and for historic interest as monument to David Davies. Group value
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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