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ID #SA1031989
FOR SALE
£1,450
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19th Century Naval Gentleman’s Bust
For sale by The House of Antiques
for sale €1,697     $1,842
£1,450
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2022
Browse dealers 139 items
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Id #SA1031989
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19th Century Naval Gentleman’s Bust

19th century
Description

Rare 19th Century Hand Painted Over Papier Mache Gentleman’s Bust

A rare and very unusual example dated from mid to late 19th Century, hand crafted papier Mache. In the form of a French officer with loops-pigtail, black ribbon with cravat formal dress, this bust would have been created for an important Naval officer. It shows a wonderful surface wear with its think papier Mache material, which makes it very decorative. All hand painted detail and hollow central section as shown, a wonderful artifact and rare due to its look and condition.

Size: H 16” x W 11” x D 8”

Completely solid in structure and form, being made from thick papier Mache has meant the aging process has led to loss of paint and surface detail.

Please expect imperfections as suggested and shown in the photos provided. We have tried to show all its flaws in the photos. For multiple years we have sold antique items globally, please expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, Items are only restored due to breaks and major loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report.

Physical Dimensions
Height
40.6cm (15.98")
Width
27.9cm (10.98")
Depth
20.3cm (7.99")
Declaration

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Naval Gentleman Bust to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1031989
Dealers Internal Reference
Naval bust
Description
Rare 19th Century Hand Painted Over Papier Mache Gentleman’s Bust

A rare and very unusual example dated from mid to late 19th Century, hand crafted papier Mache.

“
In the form of a French officer with loops-pigtail, black ribbon with cravat formal dress, this bust would have been created for an important Naval officer.
The House of Antiques

It shows a wonderful surface wear with its think papier Mache material, which makes it very decorative. All hand painted detail and hollow central section as shown, a wonderful artifact and rare due to its look and condition.

fig 1. A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base.
fig 1. 19th Century Naval Gentleman’s Bust

Size: H 16” x W 11” x D 8”

Completely solid in structure and form, being made from thick papier Mache has meant the aging process has led to loss of paint and surface detail.

Please expect imperfections as suggested and shown in the photos provided. We have tried to show all its flaws in the photos. For multiple years we have sold antique items globally, please expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, Items are only restored due to breaks and major loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report.

Height
40.6cm (15.98")
Width
27.9cm (10.98")
Depth
20.3cm (7.99")
Date of Manufacture

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Naval Gentleman Bust to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1031989
Dealers Internal Ref
Naval bust
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2022
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The House of Antiques Profile Page

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A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base.
1 / 14
Archive I A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base.

19th Century Naval Gentleman’s Bust

Archive II A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View II
Archive III A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View X
Archive XI A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View XI
Archive XII A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View XII
Archive XIII A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View XIII
Archive XIV A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques
Telephone 07568 151 752
Location
22 Goodmayes Lane
Ilford
Essex
IG3 9NZ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/thehouseofantiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
Items For Sale 139
Items Sold 11
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: 22 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9NZ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/thehouseofantiques
Verified
Nov 2022
For Sale
139
Sold
11
A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base.
19th Century Naval Gentleman’s Bust
Ref: SA1031989
A 19th-century painted bust depicting a gentleman in a high-collared jacket and cravat with visible surface wear on a pedestal base.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures & Busts
  • Period19th century
  • StyleRegency
  • MaterialTerracotta, Paint, Plaster
  • ColourTerracotta Red
  • MotifsHigh collar, Cravat, Pedestal base, Polychrome finish
  • SizeH 40.6 cm (16 in) x W 27.9 cm (11 in) x D 20.3 cm (8 in)

This nineteenth-century gentleman's bust is in the Regency style, taking the form of a hand-painted sculpture mounted upon a round pedestal base. The piece is constructed from papier-mâché, finished in terracotta red, black and off-white polychrome, and displays visible surface wear with paint loss and flaking to the red face, dark jacket and white cravat. The portrait features a high collar, moulded facial features, grey hair wings at the sides, and a dark double-breasted coat with red lapels. Measuring 40.6 cm high by 27.9 cm wide and 20.3 cm deep, this characterful sculpture sits well on a mantelpiece or bookshelf within a gentleman's library. It brings authentic period character and historical interest to a traditional interior study or living room setting as a decorative desktop or shelf ornament.

FAQs

Portrait busts from this era frequently depicted naval commanders, officers, or notable public figures, created to commemorate service or historical achievements. They typically feature period attire, including high-collared jackets, cravats, and wigs or styled hair, rendered in classical or realistic forms.

Sculptors commonly employed materials such as terracotta, plaster, carved stone, marble, and cast bronze. Plaster and terracotta examples were frequently finished with polychrome paint, gesso, or dark washes to simulate age, bronze, or lifelike features.

Authentic period busts demonstrate surface wear, including craquelure, paint flaking, and patination consistent with age. Casting seams, hand-tooled finishing marks on the base or reverse, and accurate period costume details assist in verifying authenticity.

A portrait bust functions as a focal point when placed on a mantelpiece, bookshelf, or console table. Setting historic figurative art against clean, contemporary backdrops creates visual contrast and architectural interest.

Dust gently using a dry, soft-bristled brush to prevent disturbing fragile paint layers or surface patination. Avoid liquid cleaners, damp cloths, and chemical solvents, and display the object away from direct sunlight and moisture.
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