12/12/2025 Latest News
"The Rope That Toppled History": Original Colston Statue Rope to be auctioned alongside Banksy T-Shirt.
On December 29th we're selling ‘arguably the most significant artifacts from Bristol’s modern history’. The original rope used to topple the Edward Colston statue in 2020, plus one of four special shirts made by Banksy and given to each member of 'the Colston Four'.
The items have been consigned directly by one of "The Four”, the group of defendants charged but then acquitted of criminal damage in January 2022.
‘Images of the statue being pulled down were broadcast around the globe,’ says auctioneer Andrew Stowe. ‘It’s one of the most defining moments in modern history.’
Both the rope and shirt are being sold together, in one lot.
Although the public sale of the Banksy Colston T-shirts was well-publicised at the time, it was not common knowledge that Banksy had created four special versions for each of those accused of criminal damage. The shirts were presented to ‘The Colston Four’ in a secret location after their court case, and feature inverted colours to those made for the public. Each of the four shirts was signed on the back by Banksy.
‘This being one of only four ever made makes it extremely rare,’ adds Andrew. ‘Two iconic Bristolian entities collide in this one item; Banksy and the toppling of the Colston statue. It’s not just Bristol history, but world history. We’re expecting worldwide interest.’
‘To hold this rope is to hold a piece of history that changed the cultural landscape of the UK forever.’
The rope was originally brought to the protest by the anonymous owner and was instrumental in the statue’s removal. Following the high-profile trial at Bristol Crown Court, where the defendants were cleared of all charges by a jury, the items remained in their possession.