Lending a hand for a new arm

PLEASE NOTE: The statue of Flora on the South Terrace is currently being re-created following damage from Tropical Storm Helene in 2024. She is tentatively scheduled to be reinstalled in Summer 2026.

Flora, one of several statues on the South Terrace of Biltmore House, had been missing an arm for many years. How did an Asheville artist restore the limb she lacked? Read on to learn more about the fascinating process.

A new arm for Flora

Asheville Artist Alex Irvine shows the ceramic arm he created.

At one point during the preservation process, Alex Irvine looked like he was popping the question to one of Biltmore’s oldest residents. The ceramic artist based in Asheville didn’t have matrimony in mind, however; his down-on-one-knee position at the side of Flora, a 120-year-old statue on the South Terrace of Biltmore House, was more like a healing gesture. 

Re-creating Flora’s missing limb

Irvine works with the statue’s new ceramic arm.

Alex worked with Biltmore’s Museum Services department to re-create an arm that Flora lost decades ago. The original was no longer in Biltmore’s possession, and a repair in 2003 using a non-ceramic material was challenging to maintain and eventually weathered. 

For the new repair, Alex re-created the arm in his home studio using a fired ceramic material which is expected to stand the test of time.

In addition to the missing arm, he recreated a few missing fingers and a garland that Flora had once held in her hands. 

Who is Flora?

Irvine installing the new arm on the statue of Flora.

Flora is the Roman goddess of spring who signifies blooming flowers and renewal. The ceramic sculpture is copied after the French artist Antoine Coyzevox’s sculpture Flore (“Flora”). It was offered in a catalog dating back to 1886, along with three other sculptures installed on the South Terrace around 1900. 

In addition to the re-creation and attachment of the missing elements, an internal structure was fabricated to support the arm and garland. Stabilization of the overall surface of the sculpture also took place.

Preservation for future generations

“Restoration in progress” signage helps guests understand understand what’s happening with projects like this.

This is a great example of the work we do to preserve the estate for generations to come. An added plus in this case is the chance to collaborate with the local arts community.

“We were excited to have the opportunity to work with a talented local artist for this treatment,” the Museum Services team said. “Alex brings a great deal of knowledge about ceramic work with him.”

See Flora for yourself

You can see Flora for yourself near the Tea House on the South Terrace of Biltmore House.

To see the repaired statue of Flora and all her companions on the South Terrace, plan your Biltmore visit today.