Peter Pan in Oamaru, New Zealand

'"WONDERLAND"

(BY THOS. J. CLAPPERTON R.B.S.)

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PRESENTED & DEDICATED

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CHILDREN OF OAMARU

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ROBERT MILLIGAN

MARCH 1927'

Thomas J. Clapperton's Wonderland in Oamaru Public Gardens is inspired by Sir George Frampton's 1912 statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens in London, and is often called the Peter Pan statue. Instead of Peter Pan in a tunic at the top of the structure, though, here there is a young boy in short trousers with a young girl.

 

There are many similarities to the sculpture in London, and not least the essential pyramidal structure – and here, for instance, a fairy (albeit much smaller than Frampton's) is staring up at the male figure.

 

 Pan playing the pipes recalls J. M. Barrie's character's name.

 

And all around the metal base are fairies, rabbits and mice: it all seems so familiar, but it's still a feast for the eyes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a link to my earlier post for comparison:

 

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Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens: London #27