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Rare 18th Century Carved Wood Portrait Medallion of Alexander Pope (1688-1724).
Sold by The English Interior
sold SA1174699
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
The English Interior

The English Interior

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2023
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Rare 18th Century Carved Wood Portrait Medallion of Alexander Pope (1688-1724).

18th century
Sold 16 December 2025 · The English Interior
This “Rare 18th Century Carved Wood Portrait Medallion of Alexander Pope (1688-1724)” found a buyer.

It was listed by The English Interior. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Fine and rare 18th century portrait medallion of celebrated English poet and translator Alexander Pope.

Of oval form and carved in high relief, this work is carved from one piece of solid hardwood. Pope faces right in profile, within a gilded frame, and he wears the laurel crown which symbolises the triumph of a poet or genius. This fine, rare and highly decorative work is in unmolested condition, and retains a large proportion of its original patina.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

The son of a linen-draper, Pope was first noticed by Jacob Tonson who published his Pastorals in 1709. With The Rape of the Lock 1712, and his translations of Homer, Pope became the most formidable literary figure of his day, with a large circle of friends and enemies. Primarily a satirical poet and of unsurpassed metrical skill, he wrote 'what oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed'. A friend of Swift and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and famous in the history of landscape gardening for the grounds of his villa at Twickenham, he was revered as one of the great personalities of the age.

Measures: 36cm high by 28cm wide and 3cm deep

Date of Manufacture

The English Interior has dated this Carved Wood Portrait Medallion to the 18th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
36cm (14.17")
Width
28cm (11.02")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1174699
Description
Fine and rare 18th century portrait medallion of celebrated English poet and translator Alexander Pope.

Of oval form and carved in high relief, this work is carved from one piece of solid hardwood.

“
Pope faces right in profile, within a gilded frame, and he wears the laurel crown which symbolises the triumph of a poet or genius.
The English Interior

This fine, rare and highly decorative work is in unmolested condition, and retains a large proportion of its original patina.

fig 1. An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background.
fig 1. Rare 18th Century Carved Wood Portrait Medallion of Alexander Pope (1688-1724).

Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

The son of a linen-draper, Pope was first noticed by Jacob Tonson who published his Pastorals in 1709. With The Rape of the Lock 1712, and his translations of Homer, Pope became the most formidable literary figure of his day, with a large circle of friends and enemies. Primarily a satirical poet and of unsurpassed metrical skill, he wrote 'what oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed'. A friend of Swift and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and famous in the history of landscape gardening for the grounds of his villa at Twickenham, he was revered as one of the great personalities of the age.

Measures: 36cm high by 28cm wide and 3cm deep

Date of Manufacture

The English Interior has dated this Carved Wood Portrait Medallion to the 18th Century.

Height
36cm (14.17")
Width
28cm (11.02")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1174699
The English Interior
The English Interior
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2023

Specialist dealer in 17th century to the 20th century fine art, furniture and decorative antiques for your home.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The English Interior Profile Page

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An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 7
Archive I An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Rare 18th Century Carved Wood Portrait Medallion of Alexander Pope (1688-1724).

Archive II An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background. View II
Archive III An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background. View III
Archive IV An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background. View IV
Archive V An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background. View V
Archive VI An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background. View VI
Archive VII An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07860 363 882
Location
The Duke of Somersets House
Kirkgate
Tadcaster
North Yorkshire
LS24 9AD
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2023
Items For Sale 74
Items Sold 66
The English Interior
The English Interior
Verified Since Jul 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: The Duke of Somersets House, Kirkgate, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, LS24 9AD , United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2023
For Sale
74
Sold
66
An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background.
RARE 18TH CENTURY CARVED WOOD PORTRAIT MEDALLION OF ALEXANDER POPE (1688-1724).
Ref: SA1174699
An oval carved wood portrait medallion depicting a male profile in relief, set within a gilt frame against a blue-grey background.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Art
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialWood, Gesso, Paint, Gold Leaf
  • ColourMulticolour
  • MotifsBas-relief profile, Laurel wreath, Beaded gilt frame, Ribbon tie
  • SizeH 36 cm (14 in) x W 28 cm (11 in) x D 3 cm (1 in)

A portrait medallion is a circular or oval bas-relief sculpture depicting the profile head of a historical, literary, or mythological figure, popular for commemorative and decorative purposes from the Renaissance through the Georgian period.

These pieces were typically carved from fine-grained hardwoods such as boxwood, lime, or fruitwood, often featuring polychrome paint, gilding, or applied gesso to enhance the sculptural profile.

Authentication involves examining the tool marks under magnification, assessing the natural ageing and oxidisation of the timber, inspecting the construction of the frame or backing, and verifying historical iconography.

They can be mounted individually on a panelled wall as a focal point or grouped in a gallery wall arrangement alongside modern abstract art to create a curated, eclectic aesthetic.

Preservation requires maintaining stable indoor humidity levels between 40-60 percent, avoiding direct sunlight to protect the pigments, and dusting gently with a soft, dry brush without using liquid cleaners.
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