Head of Melpome
Impression
ca. 1840 (made)
ca. 1840 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a die impression of hardended red wax from a medal depicting Melpome, and is made by George Gammon Adams.
George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square.
The roundel was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift.
George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square.
The roundel was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Head of Melpome (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Hardened red wax |
| Brief description | Die impression, hardened red wax, of or for a medal, Head of Melpome, by George Gammon Adams, English, ca. 1840 / 41 |
| Physical description | Head to right of Melpome in profile, draped with vine leaves and bunches of grapes. Signed. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'G.ADAMS' |
| Credit line | Given by Miss I.D. Adams |
| Object history | Given by Miss I.D. Adams, daughter of George Gammon Adams in 1980. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This is a die impression of hardended red wax from a medal depicting Melpome, and is made by George Gammon Adams. George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square. The roundel was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift. |
| Bibliographic reference | Forrer, L. Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, I, London, 1904, p. 22 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.170-1980 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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