19th century bronze statue of Handel produced by the English bronze founders, Elkington & Co., after the marble statue by Louis-François Roubiliac (1702-1762)
Birmingham: Elkington & Co., ca. 1859.
Fashioned into a lamp at a later date, with statue of Handel measuring 14" x 7" x 10" mounted on a bronze base 8.25" x 8.25" x 10", with overall dimensions including lamp fittings and shade 38.5" x 18" x 17." Weight 28 pounds.
"Elkington & Co." and "1247" stamped into metal at lower portion.
Provenance
With presentation inscription engraved to base: "Handel Centenary Festival 1859 The Sacred Harmonic Society To Joseph Taylor Esq. re Vice President."
Slightly worn.
"The original marble statue of Handel by noted sculptor Roubiliac was commissioned by the entrepreneur of Vauxhall Gardens, Jonathan Tyers (1702-1767), in ca. 1737. It was unveiled in the Gardens in May 1738. "Handel was then a leading figure in the capital's musical life. Since public life-size marble statues of living subjects were, until this date, undertaken only for monarchs, noblemen or military leaders, this figure made a considerable impact at the time. It is the earliest-known independent work by Roubiliac, and established his reputation as a sculptor." Victoria and Albert Museum Online
"Roubiliac's Handel was truly original. The great composer is shown wearing a night cap and loose gown. The buttons on his breeches are undone. His right foot has come out of his slipper. His elbow leans casually upon a pile of books on a plinth. Handel's face is a mask of concentration as he bends down to listen to the notes plucked from the strings of his lyre. It is as if he has suddenly risen from bed to capture a tune that has been troubling his sleep and hasn't bothered to get dressed properly. We are witnessing the act of composition, an intense, fleeting moment of creativity. A naked baby putto, unseen by the distracted composer, transcribes the notes. A bass viol lies at his feet." The Fitzwilliam Museum Online
The Sacred Harmonic Society (1832-1888), especially noted for its performances of Handel's works, organized the Handel Centenary Festival in 1859 at London's Crystal Palace to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the composer's death; the festival involved over 2,700 singers and 460 instrumentalists performing under distinguished conductor Sir Michael Costa (1808-1884).
Joseph Taylor is recorded as having donated scores to the library of the Sacred Harmonic Society.
Elkington & Co. were a leading firm of silversmiths and bronze founders from 1855 to ca. 1880, executing numerous reproductions of famous sculptures for the National Portrait Gallery.
Item #41190
Price: $1,250.00 other currencies