The Thames Ditton Bronze Foundry existed on Summer Road for almost a century. During its heyday it produced numerous major statues and monuments as one of the world's leading firms of bronze founders. Set up in 1874, the foundry seems to have been built on the site of an historic 'melting house' on the banks of the River Thames. It existed under several owners until its demolition in 1976, although statue production ceased in 1939. A blue plaque today marks its location.
A series of important commissions were undertaken and included Oliver Cromwell (1899, outside the House of Commons), Dr. Livingstone (1879, Glasgow) and Captain Cook (1878, Sydney, Australia). Possibly its greatest monument was the giant ‘Peace Quadriga’ statue atop the arch at Hyde Park Corner (1912), which was a memorial to King Edward VII. At 9.75 metres high and weighing 38.6 tonnes, it was the largest sculpture cast in the country.
During the First World War the Foundry adapted to the manufacture of aero engines and brass shell cases, but after the War the Foundry responded to a huge demand for memorials to commemorate the dead. It went on to produce some of its most accomplished and moving work. Among the most renowned are Charles Sargeant Jagger's Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, London (1925) and William Goscombe John's memorial in Port Sunlight, Merseyside (1921). Arthur Burton, the owner at the time, also donated the materials and his craftsmen's time and skill to produce the bronze plaque installed at St Nicholas' Church, Thames Ditton.
At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 the foundry was was sold by Burton's brother-in-law, who did not want to see it used for munitions manufacturing. It was subsequently used by London Metal Warehouses for making industrial castings, and then by Metal Centres Ltd, as a metal warehouse, until around 1972 when it was sold to the District Council.
Browse a selection of objects in our collection relating to the Bronze Foundry below.
