Acclaimed British artist Paul Vanstone presents a world first - a life-sized Triceratops skull sculpture carved in Carrara marble, created in collaboration with leading natural history and antiquities gallery David Aaron. Located in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, this ambitious and monumental public artwork brings natural history to the heart of London for the local community and visitors to enjoy for free.
Carved from a single 10 tonne block of white Carrara marble, the spectacular work is an artistic interpretation of a 68-million-year-old sub-adult Triceratops Skull exhibited by David Aaron at Frieze Masters 2025. Measuring 3m high, 2.2m long, and 1.5m wide, the skull rests at a 20 degree angle on a grey-veined Carrara marble plinth.
The Triceratops roamed the plains of what is now North America around 68-66 million years ago. One of the most famous species of dinosaur, its flaring bony frill, pointed beak and three-horned head make the Triceratops instantly recognisable. The species goes through four growth stages: baby, juvenile, sub-adult and adult. It is believed that Triceratops reached full maturity around ten years of age, and sub-adult fossils are particularly rare. During the sub-adult growth period the Triceratops horns reoriented to point towards the front of the skull and the scalloped detail of the frill becomes more defined.
Carrara Triceratops Skull will remain on display for two years and is the second public artwork displayed by David Aaron in Berkeley Square replacing the much-loved bronze Tyrannosaurus Rex that previously occupied the site.
While best known for his figurative works in marble and onyx, Paul Vanstone takes a joyful creative detour with this ambitious and playful piece. Though a departure from his usual human subjects, it re-flects his enduring fascination with structure, anatomy and natural forms, themes that run through his winged sculptures and skeletal studies. Carving the Triceratops, Vanstone embraced the challenge of translating the power and scale of this prehistoric herbivore into stone in his West London studio.
Vanstone trained at Central Saint Martins and earned an MFA from the Royal College of Art. His career includes working in Italy’s Carrara marble studios, as well as in Berlin and Rajasthan, and five years alongside the eminent sculptor Anish Kapoor. His work has been shown in leading institutions worldwide, including the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum, and regularly at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, earning multiple Five Star Awards.
Find out more about Paul Vanstone’s practice: www.paulvanstone.co.uk
This project was made possible through Westminster City Council’s Berkeley Square Public Art Programme and the support of the Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum and the Residents’ Society of Mayfair and St. James.
Paul Vanstone x David Aaron - Carrara Triceratops Skull
Preview 16 December 2025
16 December 2025 - 31 December 2027
A bold reimagining of natural history crafted in marble in the heart of Mayfair.
Acclaimed British artist Paul Vanstone presents a world first - a life-sized Triceratops skull sculpture carved in Carrara marble, created in collaboration with leading natural history and antiquities gallery David Aaron. Located in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, this ambitious and monumental public artwork brings natural history to the heart of London for the local community and visitors to enjoy for free.
Carved from a single 10 tonne block of white Carrara marble, the spectacular work is an artistic interpretation of a 68-million-year-old sub-adult Triceratops Skull exhibited by David Aaron at Frieze Masters 2025. Measuring 3m high, 2.2m long, and 1.5m wide, the skull rests at a 20 degree angle on a grey-veined Carrara marble plinth.
The Triceratops roamed the plains of what is now North America around 68-66 million years ago. One of the most famous species of dinosaur, its flaring bony frill, pointed beak and three-horned head make the Triceratops instantly recognisable. The species goes through four growth stages: baby, juvenile, sub-adult and adult. It is believed that Triceratops reached full maturity around ten years of age, and sub-adult fossils are particularly rare. During the sub-adult growth period the Triceratops horns reoriented to point towards the front of the skull and the scalloped detail of the frill becomes more defined.
Carrara Triceratops Skull will remain on display for two years and is the second public artwork displayed by David Aaron in Berkeley Square replacing the much-loved bronze Tyrannosaurus Rex that previously occupied the site.
While best known for his figurative works in marble and onyx, Paul Vanstone takes a joyful creative detour with this ambitious and playful piece. Though a departure from his usual human subjects, it re-flects his enduring fascination with structure, anatomy and natural forms, themes that run through his winged sculptures and skeletal studies. Carving the Triceratops, Vanstone embraced the challenge of translating the power and scale of this prehistoric herbivore into stone in his West London studio.
Vanstone trained at Central Saint Martins and earned an MFA from the Royal College of Art. His career includes working in Italy’s Carrara marble studios, as well as in Berlin and Rajasthan, and five years alongside the eminent sculptor Anish Kapoor. His work has been shown in leading institutions worldwide, including the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum, and regularly at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, earning multiple Five Star Awards.
Find out more about Paul Vanstone’s practice: www.paulvanstone.co.uk
This project was made possible through Westminster City Council’s Berkeley Square Public Art Programme and the support of the Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum and the Residents’ Society of Mayfair and St. James.