Skip to main content
Bonhams
Search

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

A Jacobite concealed portrait snuff box18th century
A 15th century carved limestone figure of St George

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

A Derby centrepieceCirca 1765
A pair of mid 16th century Italian patinated and parcel gilt bronze angel candlesticks Probably Tuscan and in the manner of Domenico Becafumi (1484-1551)
A Renaissance Florentine panel woven in silks and metal threadMid 15th century, probably for a Dalmatic garment
A 16th century tapestry fragment Formerly part of a larger tapestry in Gerona Cathedral
A set of three Holkham Pottery wine jugs Third quarter 20th century
An extremely rare early 17th century Dutch black, red and gilt japanned casketProbably attributable to Willem Kick (Dutch, 1579-1647)
A carved limestone bust of a kingProbably late 14th/early 15th century, and later
A rare and impressive Charles II leaded bronze 'York' mortar Made for Roger Warde, apothecary, and dated 1684, together with a large associated cast iron pestle
A collection of four commemorative glass bowls and plates including for the Coronation of King George VI Second quarter 20th century and earlier
A late 18th/early 19th century Italian relief carved and part stained wood oval profile portrait plaque depicting a classical warrior maiden, perhaps Minerva Possibly attributable to the workshop of Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo (Italian, 1745–1820)
Of Grand Tour interest: A collection of six trays of 19th century plaster intagliosProbably from the workshop of Pietro Paoletti (Rome, 1801-1847)
Francesco Righetti I (Italian, 1738-1819): A patinated bronze figure of the Apollo BelvedereAfter the antique, Roman, the cast dated 1787
After Pierre Lepautre (French, 1659-1744) and François Girardon (French, 1628-1714): A patinated bronze figural group of 'Aeneas carrying Anchises'French, probably first half early 19th century
A rare French gilt copper and champlevé enamel crozier finial depicting St Michael slaying the devil as a dragon Limoges, 1220-1230
A rare French gilt copper and champlevé enamel book or Evangeliary cover depicting the Crucifixion Limoges, circa 1190-1200
A white metal shell and dolphin salt given to Lady Glenconner by Princess Margaret
A French gilt copper and champleve enamel oval plaque of the angelLimoges, 19th century
A pair of mother of pearl, yellow metal and gem-set dishes given to Lady Glenconner by Imelda Marcos during a visit to the Philippines
An early 19th century satin-birch, 'mulberry wood', ebonised and mother of pearl vanity and sewing box
A French second half 19th century red stained tortoiseshell, cut brass inlaid and gilt metal mounted 'Boulle' casket Circa 1870
Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A (British 1854-1934): a patinated bronze figure of 'An Offering to Hymen'
A silvered bronze cockatoo Early 20th century, probably Austrian
Previous Lot
Next Lot
Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A. English (1854-1934) An important patinated bronze bust of Ignace Jan Paderewski, modelled in 1891, cast in 1934, image 1
Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A. English (1854-1934) An important patinated bronze bust of Ignace Jan Paderewski, modelled in 1891, cast in 1934, image 2
Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A. English (1854-1934) An important patinated bronze bust of Ignace Jan Paderewski, modelled in 1891, cast in 1934, image 3
Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A. English (1854-1934) An important patinated bronze bust of Ignace Jan Paderewski, modelled in 1891, cast in 1934, image 4
Lot 120

Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A. English (1854-1934)
An important patinated bronze bust of Ignace Jan Paderewski, modelled in 1891, cast in 1934,

Sculpture
15 April 2008, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £48,000 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Sculpture and Works of Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A. English (1854-1934)
An important patinated bronze bust of Ignace Jan Paderewski, modelled in 1891, cast in 1934,

signed and inscribed to the base of the neck, 60cm high (23" high)

Footnotes

Provenance: Gifted from Sir Alfred Gilbert's studio after his death in November 1934 by his executor, Gerald Keith, to Gilbert's grandson Cecil, and thence by direct descent to the present vendors.

Exhibited: Royal Academy of Arts, 1986.

Executed in one sitting and completed in just two hours whilst Paderewski played the piano in his studio, the end result captures the spontaneity and energy of both sculptor and sitter. Gilbert's virtuoso skill as a bronze founder and goldsmith earned him the title of "the Benvenuto Cellini of this age" from Frederick, Lord Leighton, president of the Royal Academy. In this bust Gilbert is responding to the influence of Dalou's strong ideas of realism but also reflecting the keen interest in the 1880s for outstanding lost wax castings, a passion shared in Italy by Vincenzo Gemito, whose work this bronze clearly evokes.

The bust of the famous Polish pianist and dignitary was executed at the request of Charlotte Gilbert, the artist's mother on 13 July 1891. Gilbert's son Francis later recalled that 'father never gave any serious thought to this unfinished work and thus it became grandfathers and grandmothers property at no.14 Maida Vale'. Although a full size bust was not cast until 1934, Gilbert went on to make a plaster reduction in the 1890's for Paderewski's patron Lady Lewis. At this time he also gave permission for a bronze to be cast from this reduced plaster (Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery).

The original plaster bust went into storage at Maples warehouse from 1909 (after Charlotte Gilbert's death) and remained there until around 1930. It was then returned to the artist who was living in Kensington Palace until his death in 1934. The bust was then purchased by Mrs Hadley, the wealthy wife of Gilbert's doctor. It appears at this point that the bust was cast in bronze; another version of which was then exhibited at the Royal Academy and subsequently sold to The Chantrey Bequest to raise money for a lifetime fund for Gilbert.

The Chantrey Bequest

In 1875, the Royal Academy received under the will of Sir F. L. Chantrey RA, a vast sum of money - 105,000 pounds. This was invested by five trustees, and the income each year was handed over to the Academy to purchase works of art - painting and sculpture - executed within the shores of Great Britain. The idea was to build up a national collection of British Art.

Sir Alfred Gilbert M.V.O. R.A.(1854-1934)

At the time of his death in 1934, Gilbert was one of the most famous men in Britain; so much so that a memorial service was held at St Paul's Cathedral and plans were made for a biopic film of his colourful life.

Following his scholarship at The Royal Academy (1873-1875), Gilbert was mentored by the Hungarian sculptor Edgar Boehm under whose influence, Gilbert developed a sensuous and tactile approach. Following a period at The Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, Gilbert moved to Italy, living in Rome and then Florence in the early 1880's which provided the inspiration to produce his famous works 'Icarus' and 'Perseus Arming'.

His return to England in 1884 marked the beginning of a period in which he received great acclaim, financial success and with it a certain notoriety in social circles. His most important commission began with the Fawcett monument at Westminster Cathedral (1885-1887) and was followed by the Winchester Jubilee Memorial to Queen Victoria (1887, Great Hall of Winchester Castle, Winchester). The Shaftesbury Memorial at Picadilly Circus (1886) otherwise know as Eros, marks the high point in his career. Thereafter, racked with financial difficulties, overburdened with too many projects and seemingly unable to complete commissions, Gilbert's fortunes reversed.

Ignacy Jan Paderewski,(1860-1941)

Paderewski studied at the Warsaw Musical Institute and with many Eastern European teachers, became one of Poland's world renowned pianists and composers. Although his own compositions are well known, he was widely praised for his renditions of Chopin. In addition to delighting Poland and the world with his music for over 50 years, Paderewski also became one of Poland's great statesmen. At the beginning of World War I, Paderewski founded a committee to assist the people of Poland and established branches in Paris, London and throughout the United States.


Related Literature:
Richard Dorment, Alfred Gilbert: Sculptor and Goldsmith, nos. 30, p.123, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1986.

Adrian Bury, Shadow of Eros, Drogmore Press 1952

Additional information

Bid now on these items

A Jacobite concealed portrait snuff box18th century
A 15th century carved limestone figure of St George
A Derby centrepieceCirca 1765
A pair of mid 16th century Italian patinated and parcel gilt bronze angel candlesticks Probably Tuscan and in the manner of Domenico Becafumi (1484-1551)
A Renaissance Florentine panel woven in silks and metal threadMid 15th century, probably for a Dalmatic garment
A 16th century tapestry fragment Formerly part of a larger tapestry in Gerona Cathedral
A set of three Holkham Pottery wine jugs Third quarter 20th century
An extremely rare early 17th century Dutch black, red and gilt japanned casketProbably attributable to Willem Kick (Dutch, 1579-1647)
A carved limestone bust of a kingProbably late 14th/early 15th century, and later
A rare and impressive Charles II leaded bronze 'York' mortar Made for Roger Warde, apothecary, and dated 1684, together with a large associated cast iron pestle
A collection of four commemorative glass bowls and plates including for the Coronation of King George VI Second quarter 20th century and earlier
A late 18th/early 19th century Italian relief carved and part stained wood oval profile portrait plaque depicting a classical warrior maiden, perhaps Minerva Possibly attributable to the workshop of Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo (Italian, 1745–1820)
Of Grand Tour interest: A collection of six trays of 19th century plaster intagliosProbably from the workshop of Pietro Paoletti (Rome, 1801-1847)
Francesco Righetti I (Italian, 1738-1819): A patinated bronze figure of the Apollo BelvedereAfter the antique, Roman, the cast dated 1787
After Pierre Lepautre (French, 1659-1744) and François Girardon (French, 1628-1714): A patinated bronze figural group of 'Aeneas carrying Anchises'French, probably first half early 19th century
A rare French gilt copper and champlevé enamel crozier finial depicting St Michael slaying the devil as a dragon Limoges, 1220-1230
A rare French gilt copper and champlevé enamel book or Evangeliary cover depicting the Crucifixion Limoges, circa 1190-1200
A white metal shell and dolphin salt given to Lady Glenconner by Princess Margaret
A French gilt copper and champleve enamel oval plaque of the angelLimoges, 19th century
A pair of mother of pearl, yellow metal and gem-set dishes given to Lady Glenconner by Imelda Marcos during a visit to the Philippines
An early 19th century satin-birch, 'mulberry wood', ebonised and mother of pearl vanity and sewing box
A French second half 19th century red stained tortoiseshell, cut brass inlaid and gilt metal mounted 'Boulle' casket Circa 1870
Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A (British 1854-1934): a patinated bronze figure of 'An Offering to Hymen'
A silvered bronze cockatoo Early 20th century, probably Austrian