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All the United Kingdom England Mansfield The Golden Hand Sculpture

The Golden Hand Sculpture

Constructed 20 years ago, this sculpture is slowly fading to the hands of time.

Mansfield, England

Added By
Alan Newman
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The Golden Hand Sculpture   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The Golden Hand Sculpture   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The Golden Hand Sculpture   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The Golden Hand Sculpture   Ashley Dace
  Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
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About

This 10-foot-high sculpture of a human hand was created by an artistic cooperative called BANK well over 20 years ago. It was crafted as part of a national cycling network project, organized by the charity Sustrans. From afar, it appears to be constructed of metal, however, it's in fact made from fiberglass.

The organization is no longer around, making it difficult to know the meaning behind the work of art. The sculpture provides an interesting focal point in the popular Vicar Water Country Park, which was originally established during the 1870s as a decorative water feature for the Duke of Portland.

The area was eventually made into a public park, although between the 1920s and 1970s, it was used as a dumping ground for waste from coal mines. Its conversion back to recreational use occurred during the 1980s and became the perfect setting for the sculpture. From one angle, the hand appears to be grasping the two large headstocks of the now-closed Clipstone Colliery.

Unfortunately, the fiberglass structure is suffering from the ravages of time and unless the park authority acts soon, the sculpture may not last more than a few more years.

Related Tags

Sculptures Parks History & Culture Outsider Art

Know Before You Go

Found in the Vicar Water Country Park. Free parking (voluntary payment requested).

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Jim F

  • Jim F

Published

September 3, 2020

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Sources
  • https://www.sustrans.org.uk/
The Golden Hand Sculpture
Unnamed Road
Mansfield, England, NG21 9GL
United Kingdom
53.160328, -1.111036
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Nearby Places

Clipstone Colliery Headstocks

Clipstone, England

miles away

King John's Palace Ruins

Nottinghamshire, England

miles away

Parliament Oak

Warsop, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

Nearby Places

Clipstone Colliery Headstocks

Clipstone, England

miles away

King John's Palace Ruins

Nottinghamshire, England

miles away

Parliament Oak

Warsop, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

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