Marble Bust By W.Theed The Younger Of W.Gladstone

A very finely carved marble bust of William Ewart Gladstone dated 1868 and signed W.Theed SC

William Theed was born in Staffordshire, his father, William Theed the elder being a sculptor and a craftsman at Wedgwood, known for his major work, Hercules and the Thracian Horses for one frontage of the Buckingham Palace complex. The younger Theed studied at the Royal Academy Schools, then worked for the sculptor E. H. Baily. Five years on, in 1826, he went to Rome, where he was to stay a total of 22 years, during that time working in the studios of Thorwaldson and John Gibson.

Returning to London in 1848, Theed enjoyed a good reputation, being a favoured sculptor of Queen Victoria, and was commissioned to produce many portrait statues, busts, and large monuments. He showed work in the 1851 Great Exhibition, and among other high points were a group for the Albert Memorial, and five standing figures on the Inland Revenue side of Somerset House, representing Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin.

Theed's statues may be seen in St Paul's (Henry Hallam), Manchester (Monument to Chetham in the Cathedral, Gladstone and Thomas Bright for the Town Hall, and James Watt in Piccadilly Gardens), Huddersfield (Robert Peel), Winchester (David Williams monument in the Cathedral), and Prince Albert statues for Grimsby, and in Australia in Macquairie Street, Sydney. He was also responsible for three of the portrait statues (Bacon, Locke, Adam Smith) on the rear of Burlington House, the home of the Royal Academy. And for a nice recumbent statue as part of a monument, see Countess De Salis in Harlington Parish Church.

Theeds was known for his serious busts at their best they are dramatically posed, though are able to convey strength and presence even when in repose, as is the case with the above Gladstone bust.

Some elderly damage to his right brow and nose, some mild discolouration and spotting from having a life in the elements.

At base 34cm in width, 25cm in depth, 63cm in height