A 19th century plaster portrait bust

A 19th Century Plaster Portrait Bust

This finely modelled 19th century plaster bust captures the neoclassical aesthetic popular in Victorian England. Depicting a serene, intelligent male sitter draped in classical robes, the bust reflects the era’s admiration for antiquity and philosophical ideals. The lifelike detailing and calm expression suggest it may have been intended as a tribute to a statesman, scholar, or nobleman.

Set on a square socle base, this antique plaster sculpture makes an elegant statement in any interior. It remains in excellent condition for its age, with a beautiful patina and minor wear consistent with time.

Ideal for collectors of antique plaster statuary, neoclassical art, or 19th century portraiture. This decorative bust adds character and historic charm to libraries, studies, or mantelpieces.

The label on the reverse is partly illegible

"W Hall. Wakefield"

'....this bust,,,in the room at...belonged to the..family..presented to,,,by,,of the fifth

Provenance- The Peter Hone collection.

The following is the research by David Bridgwater. 

Two Mysterious Early 19th Century Plaster Busts

Almost certainly by Shout of Holborn, London.

 - certainly not Alexander Pope,

David Bridgwater -

This Bust has a superficial resemblance to the Roubiliac Busts of Alexander Pope, the drapery on the bust is almost exactly the same as that on the majority of the Roubiliac type busts of Pope but the features are not even close to the Roubiliac busts.

I have so far discovered two versions of this bust - one in the collection of my great friend and fellow enthusiast Peter Hone and another at the National Trust house Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire.

Peter Hone has owned this bust for many years see the photographs below.

The two busts have obviously come from the same original? source but the socles are completely different. The socle and support on the Sudbury are very similar to that used very frequently by Joseph Nollekens based on an antique precedent. 

The Sudbury bust is from one of a group of 5 similar busts at Sudbury Hall .

Provenance- The Peter Hone collection