Early 19Thc Polychrome Wax Portrait Relief Of Lord Byron C.1830

The polychrome wax portrait relief depicting Lord Byron, preserved beneath its original glass within a handsome deep walnut veneered box frame, the finely modelled bust showing the celebrated Romantic poet wearing a high-collared coat and flowing cloak with distinctive curling hair and youthful features to a dark painted background, allowing the figure to emerge dramatically from the shadows and surviving from the second quarter of the nineteenth century.

The wax relief survives in pleasing original condition with minor age-related marks, light surface crazing and small losses to the painted finish consistent with its age. The original glass displays characteristic age-related foxing and bloom, whilst the walnut frame has acquired a rich mellow patina with only minor wear. Overall, an honest and highly decorative untouched example.

Portraits of Lord Byron enjoyed immense popularity during the decades following his death in 1824. Produced by skilled modellers in wax, these small reliefs offered an affordable means of commemorating one of Britain’s greatest literary and cultural icons. Combining sculpture with painting, wax portraiture flourished during the Regency and early Victorian periods before gradually giving way to photographic processes. Examples surviving in their original glazed frames are becoming increasingly scarce.

A particularly evocative example, combining rich colour, strong modelling and untouched originality. It possesses the romantic character and quiet melancholy associated with Byron himself, making it an appealing addition to any collection of literary, Grand Tour or Regency decorative arts.