Bare-breasted statue uncovered two centuries after Christians hid her body

A statue of a bare-breasted woman whose torso was discreetly covered for centuries has been found in a Bristol church house where John Wesley worshipped.

There is speculation that the half-clad figure was considered too much of a distraction for Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and his followers.

The figure, holding a cornucopia of fruit, is suspected to be Abundantia – a Roman personification of abundance and prosperity.

The statue is thought to have arrived in the UK from Europe and to have been placed in the house soon after it was built in the 17th century.

In the 18th century theologian Wesley (1703-91) held prayer meetings in the building before his move to a purpose-built place of worship – the New Room....