Not currently on display at the V&A

Equestrian statuette of George III

Statuette
1821 (made)
Artist/Maker
Henderson, Robert (sculptor)
Place of origin
England (made)

This equestrian statuette made by Robert Henderson in 1821 was one of three portraits of George III acquired by the Museum in 1937. It shows the King represented mounted on a pacing horse and wearing a uniform great-coat, with the Star of the Garter and a cocked hat. The Royal Coat of Arms in relief also appears on the end panel of the simply moulded base.

The works exhibited by Henderson (active 1820 - 1834) at the Royal Academy between 1820 and 1832 were mainly animal groups, including the equestrian group catalogued below. He also exhibited at the British Institution between 1825 and 1828.


Object details

Categories
Royalty
Sculpture
Object type
Statuette
TitleEquestrian statuette of George III (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Statuette, bronze, George III on horseback, by Robert Henderson, England, 1821
Physical description
Equestrian statue, bronze. The king is represented mounted on a pacing horse and wearing a uniform great-coat, with the Star of the Garter and a cocked hat. The Royal Coat of Arms in relief appears on the end panel of the simply moulded base. Signed and stamped.
Dimensions
  • Height: 37cm
  • Weight: 14.46kg
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'ROBERT HENDERSON 1821' (on the edge of base)
  • 'GEORGIUS/TIRTIUS' (on an integral pedestal, stamped at back)
Object history
Purchased from Mr Alfred Spero for £25, in 1937.
Subjects depicted
Horse
George (III, King of Great Britain and Ireland)
Summary
This equestrian statuette made by Robert Henderson in 1821 was one of three portraits of George III acquired by the Museum in 1937. It shows the King represented mounted on a pacing horse and wearing a uniform great-coat, with the Star of the Garter and a cocked hat. The Royal Coat of Arms in relief also appears on the end panel of the simply moulded base.

The works exhibited by Henderson (active 1820 - 1834) at the Royal Academy between 1820 and 1832 were mainly animal groups, including the equestrian group catalogued below. He also exhibited at the British Institution between 1825 and 1828.
Bibliographic references
  • Graves, A., The Royal Academy of Arts. A Complete Dictionary of Contributors and their work from its foundation in 1769 to 1904, (8 vols), 1905-1906, IV, p.68, no. 1140
  • Bilbey, Diane with Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V& A Publications, 2002. pp. 301. cat. no. 465
  • Gunnis, R., Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851, (revised edition, first published London 1953), London, 1968, p. 196
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.4-1937

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O310772/equestrian-statuette-of-george-iii-statuette-henderson-robert/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest