The Marble Pedestal



If in our country there is a piece of decoration which is really unique, without any doubts this is the marble pedestal which we put out every year at the Sliema Front, pedestal on which the Statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is then raised. When thoughts came in mind to make this project, many thought that this was an impossibble dream. Time proved right for all those who filled with lots of courage and determination went on with this ambitious task.

It was in November 1996 when the famous sculptur and marmist Ronald Pisani, Treasurer of the Sliema Philharmonic Society, designed this pedestal. With the help of a small group of people who worked with him in the marble works, in January 1997, Ronald started working on this project. The greatness of this artwork in marble, is not only found in the work in itself but also to the fact that this pedestal is a movable one, to be put and taken away each year for the Feast of Our Lady.

 

The main characteristic of this pedestal is its monumental style, with a height of 14 feet and a weight of about 4 tonnes. Many different types of marble were used, amongst which rosso levante, giallo di Siena, rosso Sant' Agatha, rosso di Verona, verde levante, verde gloria, and bianco di Carrara, while its base is made out of the marble nero marcuina. The upper part of the pedestal is formed out of four small pedestals made out of grey marble. The central part is divided into two sections, the one at the bottom decorated with four coat of arms representing Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Sliema Philharmonic Society, the Order of the Franciscans Minor and Sliema, while the upper section decorated with an oriental style and a classical style with a marble background alebaccio.

This pedestal was inaugurated on Thursday 3rd July 1997 during a special celebration for the occasion.

 

From here we thank Mr Ronald Pisani, Mr Stephen Buhagiar, Mr Brian Vella and Mr Josef Vella, for their work on the construction of the marble while we thank also Mr Julian Pace and Mr David Grech for the work on the metal part.
Great thanks goes also to the large number of benefactures who gave their donations for this wonderful work of art.




Present Street Decorations

 










Past Street Decorations








Design of Street Decorations and New Pedestals for the Coming Year