Not on display

George Gammon Adams (1821-1898)

Bust
ca. 1850 - 1898 (carved)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a selfportrait of the sculptor and depicts Adams in casual attire, wearing a high collar and a bow tie. A chest pocket holds what appear to be a sculptor's tools - a knife and a scraping instrument - though these are not clearly defined. A possible plaster model for this bust is also in the V&A's collections (inv. no. A.130-1980).

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 bust 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
TitleGeorge Gammon Adams (1821-1898) (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Bust, marble, self portrait of George Gammon Adams (1821-1898), by George Gammon Adams, England, ca. 1850-1898
Physical description
The sitter is depicted in casual attire, sporting a high collar and bow tie. A chest pocket holds what appear to be sculptor's tools, in the form of a knife and scraping instrument.
Dimensions
  • Height: 75cm
Credit line
Given by Miss I. D. Adams, daughter of the sculptor
Object history
Given by Miss I.D. Adams, daughter of George Gammon Adams in 1980.
Subject depicted
Summary
This is a selfportrait of the sculptor and depicts Adams in casual attire, wearing a high collar and a bow tie. A chest pocket holds what appear to be a sculptor's tools - a knife and a scraping instrument - though these are not clearly defined. A possible plaster model for this bust is also in the V&A's collections (inv. no. A.130-1980).

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 bust 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, p. 175, cat. no. 241
  • Gunnis, R., Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851, London, 1952, pp. 13-14
  • Thieme-Becker, Allgemeines Lexikon…., Leipzig, 1982, pp. 73-74
Collection
Accession number
A.114-1980

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Record createdMarch 4, 2003
Record URL
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