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Islay
Islay

Photographs supplied by Peter F Williams

The sculpture is a 60 centimetre bronze statue of a Queen Victoria's favourite pet, a Cairn terrier named Islay. The statue is propped up on a sandstone wishing well outside the Queen Victoria Building, George St, Sydney.

Islay was Queen Victoria’s much loved companion for only 5 years because he became involved in a dispute with a cat and it was Islay that died. Queen Victoria recorded: `My faithful little companion of more than five years, always with me’ ( Source: The Spectator, April 15, 2000 by Johnson, Paul). 

Location

Address:Druitt & George Streets , Queen Victoria Building, Sydney, 2000
State:NSW
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -33.872647
Long: 151.206642
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Sculpture
Monument Theme:Culture
Sub-Theme:Animals
Actual Event Start Date:
Approx. Event Start Date:
Actual Event End Date:
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Designer:
Artist:Justin Robson
Monument Manufacturer:
Link:

Dedication

Approx. Monument Dedication Date:1987
Front Inscription

The Legend of Islay

Islay was a favourite pet of Queen Victoria. Whenever he saw the royal mistress he would sit up and beg for a biscuit. He was often sketched and painted both by Queen Victoria and Sir Edwin Landseer, her painting master. The bronze sculpture by Justin Robson was modelled from a sketch drawn by Queen Victoria in 1842. Now over a century later, Islay is begging hopefully for a coin to help deaf and blind children of New South Wales.

Islay died 26th April 1844 and buried in Adelaide Cottage, Windsor Castle.

Left Side Inscription
Back Inscription
Right Side Inscription
Inscription in Proximity
Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au