Plaque
1887 (sculpted), 1904 (cast)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze plaque featuring Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) was originally cast in 1887. This one, however, was made for a presentation in 1904, the year before Irving's death. It is dedicated and dated in the bronze in Irving's writing: 'With every good wish to Geoffrey, Henry Irving'. It is one of several plaques, medallions and sculptures featuring Irving that were made during his lifetime and after his death.
Irving dedicated his life to the theatre. After fifteen years acting in repertory from 1856 until 1871, he made his name at the Lyceum Theatre in the melodrama The Bells. For the next thirty-one years Irving starred at the Lyceum, holding audiences spellbound and setting new standards of production and performance that made his name legendary. He was the first actor ever to be granted a Knighthood, in 1895 and his death was a cause for national mourning.
Irving dedicated his life to the theatre. After fifteen years acting in repertory from 1856 until 1871, he made his name at the Lyceum Theatre in the melodrama The Bells. For the next thirty-one years Irving starred at the Lyceum, holding audiences spellbound and setting new standards of production and performance that made his name legendary. He was the first actor ever to be granted a Knighthood, in 1895 and his death was a cause for national mourning.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast Bronze |
| Brief description | Bronze plaque of Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) sculpted 1887 and re-cast 1904 as a gift 'to Geoffrey'. By Albert Toft (1862-1949) |
| Physical description | Roughly circular bronze plaque cast with a head and shoulders portrait of Sir Henry Irving, profile to right, bare-headed, wearing a jacket with the left lapel visible, a large tie, waistcoat and stand-up collar. HENRY IRVING is incised in the metal above his head. To the left of the image of him, incised midway down, is the name of the sculptor 'ALBERT TOFT Sc 1887' and to the right 'ALFRED BARNARD FOUNDER'. Incised behind the head, in Irving's hand: 'With every good wish to Geoffrey. Henry Irving 1904' |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze plaque featuring Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) was originally cast in 1887. This one, however, was made for a presentation in 1904, the year before Irving's death. It is dedicated and dated in the bronze in Irving's writing: 'With every good wish to Geoffrey, Henry Irving'. It is one of several plaques, medallions and sculptures featuring Irving that were made during his lifetime and after his death. Irving dedicated his life to the theatre. After fifteen years acting in repertory from 1856 until 1871, he made his name at the Lyceum Theatre in the melodrama The Bells. For the next thirty-one years Irving starred at the Lyceum, holding audiences spellbound and setting new standards of production and performance that made his name legendary. He was the first actor ever to be granted a Knighthood, in 1895 and his death was a cause for national mourning. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.728-1997 |
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| Record created | September 14, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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