King Charles I Bust

The original King Charles I bust from Chichester's Market Cross has returned home from the Tate Britain and is now displayed at The Novium Museum.

This important historical sculpture depicts King Charles I wearing a gold crown and chain of office.

The unique bust, which was created by Hubert Le Sueur — an appointed sculptor to King Louis XIII of France who spent most of his career at the English court of King Charles I — was presented to the City of Chichester, West Sussex, where it was displayed in the niche of Chichester's Market Cross from the 1660s.

When the importance of Le Sueur's bust was realised, the original was moved from the Cross to Chichester City Council, and later to the Tate Britain, and a replica installed in its place.

"This sculpture is an incredibly important piece of Chichester's heritage, and we are thrilled to be welcoming it back to the City," says Stephanie Thorndyke, Manager at The Novium Museum. "The Novium Museum tells the stories of our district, and it is fantastic to see the bust on display within the context of the museum's permanent collection so that residents and visitors can enjoy its story. I'd like to express my thanks to Chichester City Council for generously lending this artwork to museum where it will be greatly appreciated by our local community."

Rodney Duggua, Town Clerk at Chichester City Council, says, "At Chichester City Council, we are delighted that this very important sculpture has been returned. It is a reminder of our long history and a reminder of the turbulent times of the Civil War."

The bust is on display on the first floor of The Novium Museum with a copy of King Charles I's death warrant.

This loan has been made possible by the provision of insurance through the Government Indemnity Scheme. The Novium Museum would like to thank HM Government for providing Government Indemnity and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England for arranging the indemnity.