If you love art, history, and a bit of adventure, Victoria’s Hands of Time is a treasure hunt you don’t want to miss. Created by British Columbia artist Crystal Przybille to commemorate the City of Victoria’s 150th anniversary in 2012, this series of 12 bronze sculptures invites locals and visitors alike to explore the city in a whole new way.
When found all together, the Hands of Time tell a sweeping story of Indigenous heritage, colonial trade, immigration, industry, and culture. They’re also wonderfully interactive—perfect for kids, families, or anyone else who would enjoy combining a city walk with scavenger hunt that combines history, stories and wonder.
Scattered across downtown and the harbour front, each piece depicts a pair of hands engaged in activities that symbolize moments in Victoria’s past. They’re not big, flashy statues, but life-sized and almost hidden in plain sight by being tucked onto walls, lampposts, bedrock, and even some landscaped gardens.
Przybille’s sculptures vary in age, gender, and culture, reflecting the diversity of hands that built Victoria. Each one captures a snapshot of history; and below you’ll find a description of each carving, with an approximate location. The joy is in finding them whilst also learning the stories they tell. It’s a perfect way to spend a sunny autumn afternoon! So now you have all the clues, the rest is up to you!
- Carving a Canoe Paddle – Found in Lime Bay Park, this sculpture incorporates a paddle designed by Songhees artist Clarence Dick and honours Lekwungen culture
- Holding a Railway Spike – Along Wharf Street, a hand grips the symbol of the E&N Railway, which connected Victoria to the rest of Canada in the 1880s
- Performing with a Fan – On Government Street, this piece nods to Chinese culture and performing arts, set near the McPherson Playhouse and the gates of Chinatown
- Carrying Point Blankets – At The Hudson building, these hands recall the Hudson’s Bay Company and its fur-trade blankets, once central to the region’s economy
- Carrying Books – On City Hall’s wall, hands with books stand for education and governance in B.C.’s capital city
- Holding Binoculars – Along Wharf Street, these hands look out to sea, capturing Victoria’s geography and long-standing lure for tourists
- Tying a Rope to a Mooring Ring – Near David Foster Way, this sculpture evokes Victoria’s nautical roots and the tall ships that first arrived here
- Panning for Gold – Near Broughton Street, hands swirl a gold pan, recalling the 1858 Fraser River Gold Rush that transformed Fort Victoria overnight
- Raising a Tea Cup – At Government and Humboldt Streets, near the Empress Hotel, this piece reflects Victoria’s deep ties to British tradition
- Holding a Mirror – On the Inner Harbour Causeway, a polished mirror invites you to reflect—literally—on Victoria’s past, present, and future
- Cupping Dogwood Blossoms – Near Belleville and Government Streets, these hands cradle British Columbia’s floral emblem
- Digging Camas Bulbs – At Beacon Hill Park, with a basket designed by T’Souke artist Carolyn Memnook, this sculpture honours Indigenous food traditions
So the next time you’re in Victoria, pick a sunny afternoon and go hunting. Whether you find just a few or track down all 12, you’ll leave with a deeper sense of the city’s layered history—carved, cast, and waiting for you to discover. In fact, HIDDEN VICTORIA offers tours that make their way through the old town in Victoria, and offer opportunities to spot several of the carvings. Why not book one HERE and look for a few of them yourself?
For more information on Crystal Przybille, please click HERE