Unrecorded Edo Artist from the Royal Artisan Guilds of Benin Ikegobo to the Iyoba (Hand Altar to the Queen Mother) The Kingdom of Benin, Edo state, (modern day) southern Nigeria, about late 18th/early 19th century Brass 21.3 x 26.7 cm diameter at base This Ikegobo (altarpiece) comes from the Kingdom of Benin, now southern Nigeria, … Read more
Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp Teapot and stand London, 1785 Gold with wooden handle and bone knob 12.6 x 24.5 cm The teapot is engraved with the arms of William Beckford (1760-1844), the Gothic novelist, and those of his wife, Lady Margaret Gordon (1762-1786). His inheritance, at the age of nine from his father, Alderman … Read more
Orazio Marinali Christ as the Man of Sorrows Vicenza, Italy, about 1690 Marble relief 35 x 28.5 cm Orazio Marinali was the leading member of a prominent family of sculptors in Vicenza, near Venice, which specialised in religious images. Orazio’s sculptures are often of extreme emotional intensity, as in this extraordinary relief carving, which is particularly … Read more
Edgar Degas Grande Arabesque, Third Time Paris, Model: about 1885-90; Cast: 1919-21 Bronze 44.5 x 55.3 x 29 cm Ballet dancers are Degas’ most famous subject matter, and he was clearly fascinated by the endless variety of their poses. This engaging study of concentration is the culmination of a series of three that show one … Read more
Joseph Chinard Bust of Madame Juliette Récamier (1777-1849) Paris, Model: about 1802; Version: early 19th century or later Marble 67.3 x 31.5 x 19 cm Mme Récamier, celebrated for her beauty, was the wife – and possibly the illegitimate daughter – of a wealthy older banker. She became a prominent figure in Parisian political and literary … Read more
Unrecorded Thai Artist Head of the Buddha Kingdom of Ayutthaya (present-day central Thailand), about 16th century Bronze or brass alloy 33.5 cm high Purchased 1942 (No. 42.7)
Joseph Gott Greyhound with Puppies Rome, about 1825-27 Carved white marble, on a variegated marble base 43 x 55 x 37.5 cm The British sculptor Joseph Gott lived and worked in Rome, the birthplace of neo-classicism, of which style he was a late exponent. His repertoire was broad, but his animal groups attracted the greatest … Read more
Edgar Degas A Horse Trotting Paris, Model: late 1880s, Cast: Hébrard foundry, Paris, 1919-21 Bronze 23.0 x 8.4 x 22.5 cm Degas’ interest in horses is evidenced by his numerous paintings with racecourse subjects, such as the Barber’s magnificent ‘Jockeys Before the Race’ of c.1878-79. This model may have been inspired by a photograph of ‘The … Read more
Unrecorded Italian Artist Lion Mask Italy, perhaps Tuscany, 13th century Marble 33.4 x 31.5 x 14.5 cm Plinth: 53.8 x 53.8 x 2.3 cm The mask originally formed the head of a fountain, possibly for a public drinking supply. Mineral deposits around the mouth indicate water issued out of it. The high quality of the … Read more
Italian School Head of Prudence Naples, Early 15th century Marble 26.3 x 16.4 x 15.9 cm Plinth: 4 x 22 x 22 cm Prudence was one of the four Cardinal Virtues; she is shown with two faces to represent her watchfulness. This fragment probably came from an early 15th century tomb sculpture in the Church … Read more
Louis-Francois Roubiliac Bust of Alexander Pope (1688-1744) London, about 1738 Terracotta 62.1 x 41 x 22 cm Plinth: 14.3 x 20.8 x 20.9 cm This magnificent terracotta bust was probably the life model for several other versions, including a marble dated 1738 (Leeds). Pope was the greatest poet and critic of his day, celebrated for works … Read more
Jean (Hans) Arp Homme vu par une fleur (Man Seen by a Flower) Meudon, France, 1958 Bronze 6 x 12.4 x 11 cm There is no primary point of view for this curious and tactile little sculpture, best appreciated when turned in the hand. While it is essentially an abstract or non-representative object, the playful … Read more
Andrea Riccio African Boy Riding upon a Billy-Goat Padua, Model and Cast: early 1500s Bronze, marble and gilt bronze 21.7 x 22.1 cm excluding base The boy holds a shell, cast from an actual specimen of a common Mediterranean mollusc, and probably intended to hold ink. Therefore, this is ostensibly a functional object, likely for … Read more
Auguste Rodin Bust of Victor-Henri, Marquis de Rochefort-Luçay (1830-1913) Paris, Model: about 1884; Version: about 1902 Marble 81.3 x 40 x 40 cm Henri Rochefort-Luçay was a radical journalist, art collector and patron, noted for his remarkably wild hair and equally fierce opinion. The original plaster model was made in about 1884, but this version was … Read more
Smith, Dobson & British Portraiture 1920-60 A snapshot through the lens of Modernism, this fascinating exhibition explores and juxtaposes the work of two under-appreciated British artists: sculptor Frank Dobson and painter Matthew Smith. Discussing the dynamic relationshop between sitter and artist within the broader cultural context of the period, it features such celebrated contributors to … Read more
Treasures from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts The Wallace Collection, London To mark Lady Barber’s reference to the Wallace Collection as a benchmark of quality for the Barber’s own collections, key items of sculpture and decorative arts from the Barber will be displayed there. Objects will include an ancient Greek helmet, a 14th-century French … Read more