Pedestal to the statue of Edward Colston

The pedestal for the statue of Edward Colston was created in 1895 by sculptor John Cassidy from Manchester. It is made of Hopton Wood stone and features bronze work by the Coalbrookdale Company.

The pedestal is square in shape and consists of two stages. It has a base with angle buttresses supporting a pedestal that has chamfered corners and a cornice. Bronze dolphins, which are part of the Colston family crest, are positioned at the corners of the pedestal, resting on the buttresses. Each face of the pedestal displays a bronze plaque with reliefs influenced by the New Sculpture movement.

On the south face, there is an inscription that reads, "Erected by / citizens of Bristol / as a memorial / of one of the most / virtuous and wise sons of / their city / AD 1895" along with "John Cassidy fecit." The west face depicts Colston dispensing charity to poor families, while the north shows him at the harbour inspecting one of his ships. The east face features a symbolic scene with marine horses, mermaids, and anchors. Additionally, the south face of the base is inscribed with the words "Edward Colston / Born 1636 / Died 1721."