What are winged siren wall brackets?

Winged siren wall brackets are architectural support fixtures incorporating classical mythological siren figures with outstretched wings, designed to hold decorative objects or small ledges.

What materials are typically used in historic gilt terracotta brackets?

These pieces are crafted from fired terracotta clay and finished with water or oil gilding applied over a clay bole base to create a metallic sheen.

How can one identify authentic late Victorian terracotta brackets?

Authentic nineteenth-century pieces exhibit natural age-related crazing to the gilded surface, dark clay exposed at high wear points, precise anatomical modeling, and hollowed backs for mounting.

How should winged wall brackets be styled in a modern interior?

Position them symmetrically in wall alcoves, beside framed artwork, or flanking a mantelpiece to display small porcelain vases, classical busts, or decorative urns.

How should gilded terracotta wall brackets be cleaned and maintained?

Dust gently using a dry, soft-bristled brush. Avoid using liquid cleansers or damp cloths, as moisture can compromise historic water gilding and dissolve the underlying bole.

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Harrington Antiques

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Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

Name: Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1241983
Price: 1100 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Harrington Antiques

Description

An exceptional pair of late 19th century gilt terracotta wall brackets in the form of winged sirens. Originally commissioned for the important Elizabethan 'High House' of Campsea Ashe, Suffolk.

These brackets were sold from the living room of the house in the contents sale of 1949, catalogue lot number '1277'. The original auction catalogue is included. Each bracket is inscribed verso, 'W. Lowther'. William Lowther (1821-1912) purchased High House in 1883, and it remained in the Lowther family for the following 66 years (for more information on William Lowther and High House, please see below).

Each bracket depicts a fine Greek mythological winged siren. The use of terracotta as a material is likely little coincidence, with the application of gold leaf over fired terracotta being a known ancient Greek method in the creation of luxury reliefs and statues.

There is one very small chip to right wing tip of the smiling siren, otherwise the pair remain in a remarkably good condition throughout.

PROVENANCE:

- Commissioned by William Lowther for High House, circa.1890 (please see below history for more information)

- Purchased in house contents sale of 1949 and

- Acquired from direct descendant of original 1949 purchaser.

Dimensions:-

Height: 24cm

Width: 19cm

Depth: 11.5cm

HISTORY OF WILLIAM LOWTHER (1821-1912) AND HIGH HOUSE, CAMPSEA ASHE, SUFFOLK

William Lowther (1821-1912) bought High House from the Sheppard family in about 1883 and his family became residents of Campsea Ashe for the next 66 years.

Little is known about his early life, except that he was privately educated and then went to Magdalen College, Cambridge. He then entered the Diplomatic Service, as follows:

1841 – 1852 - Attaché to British Embassy in Berlin

1852 – 1858 - Secretary to the Legation at Naples

1858 – 1859 - Secretary to the Legation at St Petersburg

1859 – 1861 - Secretary to the Legation at Berlin

1861 – 1867 - Secretary to the Embassy at Berlin

1857 – 1868 - Minister to Argentina.

He married Charlotte Alice Park whilst working at Naples on 17th December 1853.

On settling back in England, the Lowthers lived in Mount Street, Mayfair, London, but upon receiving a bequest from his uncle, William built Lowther Lodge in Kensington and moved in there in 1875. It was a magnificent house which on his death was sold to the Royal Geographical Society who still own it today.

William was certainly not idle upon his return to England. As well as building Lowther Lodge, he was a JP and Deputy Lieutenant for Westmoreland and Cumberland as well as JP for Bedfordshire and Suffolk. He was also a Director of the London and N W Railway. In 1868, he was elected MP for Westmoreland and in 1885 he became MP for Appleby, a seat he held until 1892.

William's connection to Campsea Ashe in Suffolk was through his purchase of High House. On the death of its previous owner, John George Sheppard (the Sheppard family having owned it since 1652, John sadly dying without heir), High House was put up for sale in 1883 and it is believed there was much interest in the property, William being the successful purchaser. The Lowther family became residents for the next 66 years. Upon his death in 1912, William left the princely sum of £447,395 to his descendants, around £66 million in current terms.

There are numerous memorials to the Lowthers in the local Campsea Ashe church and churchyard which can still be found today. Most notable perhaps, is the beautiful east window within Campsea Ashe church which was erected by William and Alice’s children in their memory.

The house and its contents were sold in 1949. High House subsequently fell into significant disrepair following the stripping of its lead roof, and the house was sadly demolished in 1953.

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Physical Dimensions

Height

24cm (9.45")

Width

19cm (7.48")

Depth

11.5cm (4.53")

Declaration

Harrington Antiques has dated these Gilt Terracotta Wall Brackets to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1241983

Dealers Internal Reference

8045

Dealers Notes

PAYMENT

We accept payment via debit card, credit card, Paypal, bank transfer or cheque. We also offer a 'Pay In 3' payment service through our website.

RETURNS

We are sure that you will be delighted with your purchase. Nonetheless, to ensure you have complete peace of mind, we offer a 14 day money back guarantee.

The purchased item may be returned, in its original condition, within 14 days from receipt. Return carriage costs are the responsibility of the buyer. For larger pieces requiring a specialist courier service, we will arrange your return for you with the cost being deducted from the refund (this cost will never exceed the original charge paid).

We ask that a trackable signature method of shipping is used for the return of smaller items as we cannot be held responsible for items lost in transit.

Should you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Description

An exceptional pair of late 19th century gilt terracotta wall brackets in the form of winged sirens. Originally commissioned for the important Elizabethan 'High House' of Campsea Ashe, Suffolk.

“

These brackets were sold from the living room of the house in the contents sale of 1949, catalogue lot number '1277'.

Harrington Antiques

The original auction catalogue is included. Each bracket is inscribed verso, 'W. Lowther'. William Lowther (1821-1912) purchased High House in 1883, and it remained in the Lowther family for the following 66 years (for more information on William Lowther and High House, please see below).

fig 1. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 1. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

Each bracket depicts a fine Greek mythological winged siren. The use of terracotta as a material is likely little coincidence, with the application of gold leaf over fired terracotta being a known ancient Greek method in the creation of luxury reliefs and statues.

fig 2. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 2. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

There is one very small chip to right wing tip of the smiling siren, otherwise the pair remain in a remarkably good condition throughout.

PROVENANCE:

Commissioned by William Lowther for High House, circa.1890 (please see below history for more information)

fig 3. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 3. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

Purchased in house contents sale of 1949 and

Acquired from direct descendant of original 1949 purchaser.

Dimensions:-

Height: 24cm

Width: 19cm

Depth: 11.5cm

HISTORY OF WILLIAM LOWTHER (1821-1912) AND HIGH HOUSE, CAMPSEA ASHE, SUFFOLK

fig 4. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 4. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

William Lowther (1821-1912) bought High House from the Sheppard family in about 1883 and his family became residents of Campsea Ashe for the next 66 years.

Little is known about his early life, except that he was privately educated and then went to Magdalen College, Cambridge. He then entered the Diplomatic Service, as follows:

fig 5. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 5. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

1841 – 1852 - Attaché to British Embassy in Berlin

1852 – 1858 - Secretary to the Legation at Naples

1858 – 1859 - Secretary to the Legation at St Petersburg

1859 – 1861 - Secretary to the Legation at Berlin

fig 6. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 6. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

1861 – 1867 - Secretary to the Embassy at Berlin

1857 – 1868 - Minister to Argentina.

He married Charlotte Alice Park whilst working at Naples on 17th December 1853.

On settling back in England, the Lowthers lived in Mount Street, Mayfair, London, but upon receiving a bequest from his uncle, William built Lowther Lodge in Kensington and moved in there in 1875. It was a magnificent house which on his death was sold to the Royal Geographical Society who still own it today.

fig 7. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 7. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

William was certainly not idle upon his return to England. As well as building Lowther Lodge, he was a JP and Deputy Lieutenant for Westmoreland and Cumberland as well as JP for Bedfordshire and Suffolk. He was also a Director of the London and N W Railway. In 1868, he was elected MP for Westmoreland and in 1885 he became MP for Appleby, a seat he held until 1892.

fig 8. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 8. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

William's connection to Campsea Ashe in Suffolk was through his purchase of High House. On the death of its previous owner, John George Sheppard (the Sheppard family having owned it since 1652, John sadly dying without heir), High House was put up for sale in 1883 and it is believed there was much interest in the property, William being the successful purchaser. The Lowther family became residents for the next 66 years. Upon his death in 1912, William left the princely sum of £447,395 to his descendants, around £66 million in current terms.

fig 9. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 9. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

There are numerous memorials to the Lowthers in the local Campsea Ashe church and churchyard which can still be found today. Most notable perhaps, is the beautiful east window within Campsea Ashe church which was erected by William and Alice’s children in their memory.

fig 10. A pair of late nineteenth-century gilt terracotta wall brackets featuring winged siren figures above acanthus scrollwork pedestals. — fig 10. Gilt Terracotta Winged Siren Wall Brackets (With Provenance), C.1890

The house and its contents were sold in 1949. High House subsequently fell into significant disrepair following the stripping of its lead roof, and the house was sadly demolished in 1953.

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.