Early 1900s British Bronze Portrait Wall Relief of James Gordon, Attributed to Alice Gates

Details

Description

Early 1900s British Bronze Portrait Wall Relief of James Gordon, Attributed to Alice Gates

Antique Cast Bronze Memorial Portrait | … Read more Early 1900s British Bronze Portrait Wall Relief of James Gordon, Attributed to Alice Gates

Antique Cast Bronze Memorial Portrait | c.1902 | Early Edwardian British Sculpture

Highlights

* Impressive early twentieth-century British bronze portrait relief.
* Depicts James Gordon (1824–1901).
* Attributed to British sculptor Alice Gates, active 1892–1908.
* Probably created circa 1902.
* Indistinctly signed lower left, probably “A. Gates”.
* Documentary connection with Alice Gates’s *The late James Gordon, Esq.*, exhibited at the Walker Art Gallery in 1902.
* Substantial architectural-format bronze weighing approximately 11 lb.
* Rich dark bronze-black historic patina.
* Naturally occurring verdigris gives the surface additional visual depth.
* Striking statement piece for a library, study, gallery wall or collected interior.

Description

A striking early twentieth-century British bronze portrait relief depicting James Gordon (1824–1901), probably created circa 1902 and attributed through recent documentary research to British sculptor Alice Gates.

The substantial architectural-format panel presents Gordon almost frontally, his full beard and strongly modelled features emerging from a richly textured background. Raised lettering identifying “JAMES GORDON” and “1824–1901” forms an integral part of the sculptural design.

The modelling is particularly effective across Gordon's face, hair and substantial beard, where deeply worked passages contrast with smoother areas across the forehead and nose.

An indistinct signature at lower left is now considered more plausibly read “A. Gates”.

Particularly compelling is the discovery that Alice Gates exhibited *The late James Gordon, Esq.* at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, in 1902.

The documented exhibition piece was described as a plaster medallion. Consequently, the present bronze is responsibly offered attributed to Gates rather than as a conclusively authenticated work.

It may represent a bronze version, memorial adaptation or related treatment of the same portrait model.

The richly aged surface combines charcoal-black and deep bronze-brown tones with rubbed highlights and naturally developed verdigris, creating considerable depth and decorative character.

Its sculptural form and atmospheric antique surface make the work particularly effective within a sophisticated collected interior.

Catalogue Details

Artist: Attributed to Alice Gates (British, active 1892–1908)

Sitter: James Gordon (1824–1901)

Date: Probably circa 1902

Period: Early Edwardian

Origin: British

Material: Cast copper-alloy bronze

Signature: Indistinctly signed lower left, probably “A. Gates”

Foundry: Unknown

Provenance

Reportedly from a private southern English collection

Reportedly Swan, Tetsworth

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Earlier provenance remains reported pending documentary confirmation.

Dimensions

Height: 16.14 inches

Width: 11.02 inches

Depth: 1.18 inches

Weight: approximately 11.02 lb

Main Colours**

Charcoal Black

Dark Bronze Brown

Slate Grey

**Accent Colours**

Verdigris Green

Muted Bronze/Copper

Silver Grey


Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.


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