Humpty Dumpty

by Graham Duell

Humpty Dumpty is one of the most well known English nursery rhymes, and is thought to date from the early 19^th century.

The literal meaning of the rhyme is unclear, the social context is unclear, and there is no direct reference to Humpty Dumpty being an egg. That link may however, derive from the term Humpty Dumpty used as slang for a ‘short clumsy person’ with the egg connection referring to the possibility of irreparable damage.

This piece shows Humpty Dumpty being held by an amorphous figure. Has he just been rescued, or about to be dropped? Who is the figure? What is actually happening? Who knows, presenting an opportunity for the imagination to take over and resolve the mass of uncertainty?

The piece is a ceramic sculpture mounted onto a Cyprus post. The post has the most common version of the nursery rhyme engraved in it, together with other relevant quotations.

The Cyprus used for the plinth is a durable timber and will weather to a grey colour. It has a fabricated steel footing and can be bolted to a concrete or similar base to ensure a stable installation.

Humpty Dumpty is categorised under:

Sculpture details

Media	ceramic\|mild steel\|cypress
Dimensions	40cm x 165cm x 50cm
Weight	100 Kg
Year Created	2012
Edition	unique piece of 1
Techincal Support
Last Updated	10/07/2026 17:22:30

Exhibited in

2013 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show

Prizes won

Humpty Dumpty hasn't won any prizes yet.

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Humpty Dumpty

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