JOHN THOMAS (1813-1862) UNDER THE DIRECTION OF SIR CHARLES BARRY (1795-1860) AN ANSTON STONE STATUE OF QUEEN VICTORIA holding an orb, the reverse with a bronze fixing and inscribed "Southwick", 68" high. See illustration Provenance: The Houses of Parliament The Gladstone Family at Moortown House, Ringwood, Hampshire. Private collection, Hampshire. John Thomas (1813-1862) was Superintendent of Stone-Carving at the Houses of Parliament (cf. MH Port: "The Houses of Parliament", published for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art 1976, pg. 243, pl. 164. for a reproduction of the wash drawing for the statue of Queen Victoria by John Thomas). It was under his supervision that the Gothic-style statues for the exterior of the building were supplied by the Thames Bank Workshop. On pg. 245 of the same volume, Port states: "It is impossible to make out individual contributors to the architectural sculpture", but from this inscribed example it would appear that Southwick was one of them. John Thomas was born in Gloucestershire and his earliest employment in that locality was restoring the lettering and sometimes the sculptural decoration of gravestones, which gave him experience in an important area of Perpendicular Churches. A visit to Oxford focused his attention more specifically on drawing architectural details correctly and developing skill and knowledge as a carver. Then at Birmingham, where his brother was an architect, he worked on a number of large buildings including Barry's King Edward VI Grammar School and it was as a result of his competence in Gothic detailing that he came to Barry's notice. Although Thomas was not officially appointed Superintendent of Stone-Carving at Westminster until 1846, Barry probably engaged him soon after the completion of the Birmingham school and on 13th May 1841 the Office of Works approved Barry's arrangement with Thomas for the stone-carving. Barry's own contribution to the design of the sculptural programme cannot be in much doubt. He would undoubtedly have drawn up the overall plan subsequently delegating certain specific areas to qualified specialists. Precise dating for the various elements of the sculptural programme is not easy. Specific contemporary references to the sculpture are rare and often incidental, but it is possible to propose an outline chronology. Ryde's "Illustrations" of 1849 shows this statue flanked by Justice and Mercy and writes of the sculpture of the porch as if it were in situ. In an illustration of the State Opening of Parliament in 1852 the figures are shown in position.
We found 350105 price guide item(s) matching your search
There are 350105 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe- List
- Grid
-
350105 item(s)/page
A MEDIEVAL STYLE STONE CISTERN carved with two registers of decoration incorporating roundels carved with birds, flowerheads and stags above a band of undulating leafy scrolls, the top with traces of an earlier bronze and lead superstructure and the base with a drilled hole, 30" dia x 24.75" high. See illustration Provenance: The garden of a country house at Burley, Hampshire.
A JAPANESE BRONZE FIGURE OF BODHIDHARMA, a scowling and emaciated sage, full robe and cowl, standing on a reed, two character cast mark, late Meiji period, 32cm high, upon an associated oak plinth (overall height 35cm) Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century. He is traditionally considered the bringer of Chan Buddhism to China.
A 19TH CENTURY FRENCH LACQUER CABINET ON STAND by MAISON GIROUX, the marble top with pierced gallery above a pair of Chinese lacquered doors enclosing pigeonholes and nine small drawers, the whole raised on a base with sliding secretaire, on square tapering legs with uniting stretcher, surmounted by a gilt bronze bacchic infant. Bears makers label MAISON ALPH GIROUX, BOULEVARD DES CAPUCINE 43, BRONZE EBONISTERIE/PAPETIE CAPREMENTS COULEUR/TABLEAUX ET DESSINS JOUETS D'ENFANTS. 2ft 8ins wide, 4ft 8ins high, 1ft 4.5ins deep.
A SUPERB LOUIS XVI BRONZE, ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE CLOCK, the circular dial with eight-day movement, painted with garlands striking on a single bell, movement 493, the case with a cupid holding a rooster and standing on two books, the base break fronted with white marble. 16ins high, 10.5ins wide.
A SUPERB LOUIS XVI BRONZE, GILT BRONZE AND MARBLE MANTLE CLOCK by CIE DES BRONZER, BRUXELLES, with eight-day movement with three dial hands, No. 2492, in a superb case with eagle surmount, with two bronze classical figures reading and standing on a yellow marble base. 20ins high, 26ins wide.
Loading...-
350105 item(s)/page