For the first time in 178 years, Stowe House has welcomed back two of its historic statues.

Copies of the seated figures of Cybele and Juno have now been reinstated on the South Front portico, completing the sculptural scheme that was interrupted by the 1848 Stowe Sale. Installed in December and January, the statues were carefully lifted into place using a specialist crane and represent the culmination of years of research, craftsmanship and conservation planning.

The project was led by Stowe House Preservation Trust, with Cliveden Conservation and sculptor Sam Steel creating the new figures from a 3D scan of the original Roman Cybele. Their return completes a series of major portico restorations, joining the statues of Britannia, the Three Fates and the dramatic freestanding groups returned in 2018.

Read the full story and see installation footage here

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