Boy returned to the ground in a custom-made aluminum cage after almost 83 years in place. In August 2002, the statue was regilded with a micro-thin coat of 23.75-karat gold leaf in a climate-controlled enclosure in full view of the public. During the restoration, the statue was also placed on public display at the Manitoba Museum and at the Forks National Historic Site. Prepared by Bristol Aerospace with a custom-manufactured paint from Germany, the statue was regilded using 4,000 sheets of extra-heavy gold leaf. A new steel support post was installed by ISIS Canada, accompanied by a structural health monitoring system—monitors and gauges for measuring vibrations and strain as well as for wind stress and temperature effect on the statue and support structure. The Golden Boy was returned to the Legislative Building and re-installed on the dome on 5 September 2002. It was rededicated by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, during her 2002 Golden Jubilee tour of Canada the following month. The restoration cost a total of CA$1.1 million. The regilding cost $34,000, with the gold-leaf costing $5,600. The new gilding is expected to last about 25 to 30 years. Since its restoration, the Golden Boy's torch is no longer lit because its electrical cord had been one of the causes for the rust found in 2002. Instead, it is lit at night by floodlights. Symbolism The Golden Boy was modelled by Giovanni da Bologna after the 16th-century sculpture of the Roman messenger god of trade, profit and commerce, Mercury. The sheaf of wheat in the statue' left arm represents the fruits of labour, while the torch in its right hand represents a call to youth to join his eternal pursuit of a more prosperous future. The statue faces in a north direction, pointing towards the Manitoba region to symbolize its importance as a provider of important natural resources and economic opportunity. "Manitoba Golden Boy" is a traditional fiddle tune in the statue's honour. The chorus includes the following: References External links The Golden Boy — online tour of the Manitoba Legislative Building, includes image Buildings and structures in downtown Winnipeg Monuments and memorials in Manitoba Statues in Canada 1918 sculptures Outdoor sculptures in Canada Bronze sculptures in Canada Sculptures of men in Canada Nude art