TWO MARBLE FIGURES OF A CLASSICAL MAIDEN HOLDING A WATER EWER AND A BLACKSMITH IN CLASSICAL DRESS
Details
The maiden signed and dated 'SHAKSPERE. WOOD. ROMAE 1853' on the tree stump and inscribed 'ADG 2' on the base; the blacksmith signed and dated 'SHAKSPERE. WOOD. ROMAE 1856' on the anvil and inscribed 'ADG 3' on the base; each on an associated breche violette cylindrical pedestal 48 in. (122 cm.) high, the marbles; 841⁄4 in. (214 cm.) high, with the pedestals
Literature
'Shakspere Wood', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [https://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/mapping/public/view/person.php?id=msib3_1215609764, accessed 13 Sept 2026].
Lot Essay
Shakespeare Wood grew up in Manchester, beginning his artistic career in Edinburgh before moving to Rome in 1850, where he established himself as a sculptor. Described as a member of the Romantic school, he specialised in marble medallions, relief portraits and allegorical groups, while also developing a deep interest in Rome's antiquities and archaeology. Another example of the Maiden with a Ewer, dated 1857, was sold at Bonhams, 15 September 2009, lot 231.
Details
The maiden signed and dated 'SHAKSPERE. WOOD. ROMAE 1853' on the tree stump and inscribed 'ADG 2' on the base; the blacksmith signed and dated 'SHAKSPERE. WOOD. ROMAE 1856' on the anvil and inscribed 'ADG 3' on the base; each on an associated breche violette cylindrical pedestal 48 in. (122 cm.) high, the marbles; 841⁄4 in. (214 cm.) high, with the pedestals
Literature
'Shakspere Wood', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [https://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/mapping/public/view/person.php?id=msib3_1215609764, accessed 13 Sept 2026].
Lot Essay
Shakespeare Wood grew up in Manchester, beginning his artistic career in Edinburgh before moving to Rome in 1850, where he established himself as a sculptor. Described as a member of the Romantic school, he specialised in marble medallions, relief portraits and allegorical groups, while also developing a deep interest in Rome's antiquities and archaeology. Another example of the Maiden with a Ewer, dated 1857, was sold at Bonhams, 15 September 2009, lot 231.
