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Rockefeller Center’s Iconic Prometheus Statue Gets a New Gold Skin for Christmas 2025

Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and plaza at night

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The Restoration

Paul Manship’s Prometheus, one of the most photographed sculptures in New York City, is undergoing a meticulous restoration ahead of the 2025 holiday season. Artisans are applying more than 20,000 sheets of 23¾-karat gold leaf across the 18-foot bronze figure by hand — a process using lamb’s-wool cloths moistened with cold water, an ancient gilding technique. The honey-colored primer beneath the gold was applied as a base layer before each leaf was laid individually across every curve and contour of the statue. The zodiac frieze encircling the base is also being regilded in full. The gold alone is worth more than $60,000.

Unveiling at the Tree Lighting

The restored Prometheus will be revealed to the public during the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3, 2025. The ceremony, free and open to the public, kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Lower Plaza of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The tree itself stands over 65 feet tall and is decorated with tens of thousands of LED lights, remaining on display through mid-January. The statue was originally unveiled in 1934 and has become one of New York’s most enduring holiday landmarks.

Statue Specifications

  • Height: 18 feet (5.5 meters)
  • Weight: Nearly 8 tons
  • Gold leaf sheets: Over 20,000
  • Gold purity: 23¾-karat
  • Technique: Hand-applied with lamb’s-wool cloths
  • Gold value: More than $60,000
  • Location: Lower Plaza, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan

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