Not currently on display at the V&A

Sir John Colborne, 1st Baron Seaton (1778-1863)

Statuette
ca. 1866 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This painted plaster piece has recently been identified as a model for the bronze statue of Field-Marshal Lord Seaton, cast by Elkington at Devonport, the naval base at Plymouth, Devon. An engraving of the statue was published in The Illustrated London News, 15 December 1866, p. 584. A plaster bust of Seaton by Adams dated 1863 is in the National Portrait Gallery, London. A marble bust related to the plaster in the National Portrait Gallery was formerly in the United Services Club, London.

Seaton (1778-1863) was a British field marshal and colonial governor.

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 statuette 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
TitleSir John Colborne, 1st Baron Seaton (1778-1863) (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted plaster
Brief description
Statuette, painted plaster, of Sir John Colborne, 1st Baron Seaton (1778-1863), by George Gammon Adams, England, ca. 1866
Physical description
The clean-shaven gentleman stands wearing knee-high boots on a square base. He holds his mantle in his left arm and sword in his left hand. The area around his lower arm and hand is poorly cast. He wears four medals on ribbons around his neck area beneath his high collar.
Dimensions
  • Height: 78cm
Credit line
Given by Miss I. D. Adams, daugher of the sculptor
Object history
Given by Miss I.D. Adams, daughter of George Gammon Adams in 1980.
Subject depicted
Summary
This painted plaster piece has recently been identified as a model for the bronze statue of Field-Marshal Lord Seaton, cast by Elkington at Devonport, the naval base at Plymouth, Devon. An engraving of the statue was published in The Illustrated London News, 15 December 1866, p. 584. A plaster bust of Seaton by Adams dated 1863 is in the National Portrait Gallery, London. A marble bust related to the plaster in the National Portrait Gallery was formerly in the United Services Club, London.

Seaton (1778-1863) was a British field marshal and colonial governor.

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 statuette 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 references
  • Bilbey, Diane with Trusted, Marjorie, British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2002, pp. 174-5, cat. no. 240
  • Gunnis, R., Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851, London, 1952, pp. 13-14
  • Thieme-Becker, Allgemeines Lexikon…., Leipzig, 1982, p. 73-74
Collection
Accession number
A.127-1980

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Record createdMarch 3, 2003
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