Security stepped up for mini Angel of the North

Nov 22 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal

THE valuation of the mini Angel of the North at £1m has led to an increase in security around the sculpture.

Viewers of the Antiques Roadshow last weekend watched as the miniature version of the iconic work of art became the first item to receive a seven figure valuation on the show.

And as a result of the item being worth so much, and having received so much publicity, security has been stepped up.

The solid bronze sculpture, which stands at 4ft tall with a wingspan of 11ft, is now protected by a security team and kept under close watch by CCTV cameras inside and outside its home in Gateshead Civic Centre.

The little sister of the A1 icon, which weighs 100 kilos, was valued at £1m by Antiques Roadshow expert Philip Mould – £200,000 more than what was paid for the full-sized 65ft sculpture in 1998. Coun John McElroy, who took the model on to the television show, said: “We don't talk about our specific security arrangements, but the Angel maquette is certainly well protected.

“The civic centre has excellent security measures in place and we've taken all necessary steps to ensure it is safe, especially after the Antiques Roadshow valuation. “It's also a very heavy object that takes about four men to move, so we're confident that it's well protected by our security team.”

He also said that insurance had been reviewed and it was now covered for a considerable sum.

The mini angel was made to convince people that the Antony Gormley creation, funded by the National Lottery, would be a welcome addition to the Gateshead landscape. But now, the angel, celebrating its 10th anniversary, has become such a recognisable figure that when children from Gateshead are asked to draw an angel, it no longer has feathery wings and a halo.

Mr McElroy said: “The angel has now become a byword for regeneration and become a real part of local life.”

The success of the original has also led to the council selling a range of angel based souvenirs on a new council website, www.itsmyangel.com

The mini angel can be viewed for free at Gateshead Civic Centre, open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

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