John Plimmer and his Dog Fritz

1996

Tom Tischler

Accessible

Type

  • Sculpture

Medium

  • Bronze

Dimensions

  • H1900 x W680 x D770mm

Tom Tischler, ‘John Plimmer and his Dog Fritz’ (1996), Plimmer Steps, CBD, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2022

1996–Current

Plimmer Steps, Lambton Quay, CBD, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Artists
Credit

Wellington City Council Art Collection

Associated Artwork Person(s)
Associated Artwork Organisation(s)

Description

A life-size bronze sculpture of a striding John Plimmer with walking stick in hand, top hat upon his head, and his dog Fritz, prancing along at his side.

The sculpture is based on a photograph taken around 1900. Specialist nature sculptor, Tom Tischler, used it to make a maquette, which in turn was used by sculptors Ross Wilson and Judy Alexander and model maker Alex Kennedy to make the bronze.

John Plimmer (1812-1905) was a prominent Wellington builder, businessman and civic leader. Born in England, he migrated to Wellington in 1891 with his wife and children. Named after him, the Plimmer Steps was once where his home, and lime kiln, sat. Plimmerton, north of Wellington, is also named after him.