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Not currently on display at the V&A

Mary Berry

Wax Relief
ca. 1790-1820 (made)
Artist/Maker
Percy, Samuel (maker)
Place of origin
England (made)

This wax relief representing Mary Berry is made by Samuel Percy in ca. 1790-1820.
Mary Berry is shown in full relief, facing to the front with her head turned very slightly to the right. She wears an elaborate white lace shawl with a ruff over a red dress which is decorated with pearls on the sleeves and the centre of the bodice. She has pearls in her haid. The bust is framed at the front and sides by a blue curtain, tied with a gold pull. The wax is set in a gilt surround with the oval wooden frame.


Object details

Category
Portraits
Object type
Wax relief
TitleMary Berry (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Wax relief in giltwood frame
Wax
Relief
Brief description
Relief, Wax, Mary Berry, by Samuel Percy (1750-1820), England, about 1790-1820
Physical description
The three quarter length bust of Agnes Berry is shown in full relief, facing to the front, the head turned very slightly to the right. She wears an elaborate white lace shawl with a ruff over a red dress which is decorated with pearls on the sleeves and the centre of the bodice. She has pearls in her hair. The bust is framed at the front and sides by a blue curtain, tied with a gold pull. The wax is set in a gilt surround within an oval giltwood frame.
Dimensions
  • Framed height: 30cm
  • Framed width: 29cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'To see the representation of Nature / To perfect Advantage / Hold the Top of the Head to the Light, that all / The Features may catch the shade; without which / the Beauty of the Human Face would be lost (?), / Or but imperfectly seen'. (Handwritten label on the back)
  • 'Percy no [no number] / Mary Bate 3'. (Handwritten label on the back.)
Credit line
From the Mary Bate Collection
Object history
From the Mary Bate Collection, ex. loan 3. Bought from Philip Bate for £250.
Subject depicted
Mary Berry
Summary
This wax relief representing Mary Berry is made by Samuel Percy in ca. 1790-1820.
Mary Berry is shown in full relief, facing to the front with her head turned very slightly to the right. She wears an elaborate white lace shawl with a ruff over a red dress which is decorated with pearls on the sleeves and the centre of the bodice. She has pearls in her haid. The bust is framed at the front and sides by a blue curtain, tied with a gold pull. The wax is set in a gilt surround with the oval wooden frame.
Bibliographic references
  • Penny, Nicholas. Catalogue of European Sculpture in the Ashmolean Museum, III, Oxford, 1992, p. 203.
  • Trusted, Marjorie (ed.), The Making of Sculpture. The materials and techniques of European Sculpture, London, 2007, p. 31, pl. 43.
  • Sturgis, Alexander. Presence. The Art of Portrait Sculpture, exhibition catalogue for exhibition held at the Holburne Museum, published by the Art Collector’s Club Ltd, Old Martlesham Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK, 2012, cat.no. 54, p. 83, illus. p. 84
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.14-1970

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Record createdMarch 17, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O97074/mary-berry-wax-relief-percy-samuel/
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