After Carlo Marochetti, a mid 19th century gilt bronze table top bust of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, cast quarter length in the Roman style with the Duke wearing a stock, military coat with the Garter Star and sash, on a capstan socle raised on a canon shaped column on a stepped base, cast shortly after the Duke’s grand state funeral in 1852.
Arthur Wellesley was born in Dublin in 1769 and was commissioned as an Ensign in the British Army in 1787. Following an illustrious career during the Napoleonic Wars he rose to the rank of General and was promoted to Field Marshal following the victory of the Sixth Coalition at Vitoria in Spain. After Napoleon’s first exile to Elba in 1814 he was created Duke of Wellington, having been created Earl, then Marquess of Wellington in 1812. In 1815, after Napoleon’s escape from exile, he led the forces of the Seventh Coalition to defeat the French Emperor at Waterloo on the 18th June. He joined the government under Lord Liverpool as Master-General of the Ordnance in 1818, but resigned from the government in 1827 having refused to serve under George Canning. He was appointed Prime Minister in 1828 and served until 1830, during which time he forced the Roman Catholic Relief Act through Parliament. His government was defeated in a vote of no confidence in November 1830, following the Swing Riots and growing demands for electoral reform. He retired from politics in 1846, and died at Walmer Castle in Kent on 14th September 1852, and was given a State funeral on 18th November. He is buried in the crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Condition: Overall very good, the sculpture is in very good condition with no damage or marks, the gilding has had some losses to the exposed flat areas, however about sixty percent remains, overall this piece has, as one would expect, an imposing appearance and pleasing patina.
Dimensions:
Height: 27cm (10½”)
Base: 10cm (4”)