{"product_id":"attributed-to-alice-gates-bronze-portrait-relief-of-james-gordon-1824-1901-c-1902","title":"Attributed to Alice Gates – Bronze Portrait Relief of James Gordon (1824–1901), c.1902","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttributed to Alice Gates – Bronze Portrait Relief of James Gordon (1824–1901), c.1902\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn Early Edwardian British Memorial Portrait with a Significant 1902 Walker Art Gallery Connection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportant British bronze memorial portrait, probably circa 1902.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttributed to Alice Gates (British, active 1892–1908).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSitter securely identified by inscription as James Gordon (1824–1901).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndistinct integral signature probably reading “A. Gates”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlice Gates exhibited \u003cem\u003eThe late James Gordon, Esq.\u003c\/em\u003e at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, in 1902.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubstantial cast copper-alloy bronze weighing approximately 5 kg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrong naturalistic modelling characteristic of turn-of-the-century portrait sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRetains an extensive historic patina and naturally developed verdigris.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn intriguing example of British commemorative portrait sculpture supported by significant documentary research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA substantial and scholarly significant early twentieth-century British bronze portrait relief depicting James Gordon (1824–1901), attributed following detailed research to sculptor Alice Gates, active 1892–1908.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProbably executed around 1902, the work combines naturalistic portraiture with the restrained monumentality of British commemorative sculpture at the transition from the Victorian to Edwardian periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtist: Attributed to Alice Gates (British, active 1892–1908)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSitter: James Gordon (1824–1901)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTitle: \u003cem\u003ePortrait of James Gordon\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDate: Probably circa 1902\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBroader Date Range: Circa 1901–1903\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeriod: Early Edwardian \/ turn of the twentieth century\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrigin: British\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium: Cast copper-alloy bronze relief, alloy unanalysed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignature: Indistinctly signed lower left, probably “A. Gates”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInscription: “JAMES GORDON” and “1824–1901”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFoundry: Unknown\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGordon is represented almost frontally, his mature bearded features emerging forcefully from a deliberately textured field. The modelling of the beard and hair is vigorous and linear, contrasting with smoother passages across the forehead, nose and facial planes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sitter's identity forms an integral part of the composition. “JAMES GORDON” appears prominently to the left, balanced by the dates “1824–1901” at right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly important is the indistinct cast signature at lower left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally interpreted as “C. Gates”, closer examination suggests that “A. Gates” provides the stronger reading. Documentary research has subsequently established that British sculptor Alice Gates exhibited a work entitled \u003cem\u003eThe late James Gordon, Esq.\u003c\/em\u003e at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, in 1902.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Walker catalogue describes Gates's exhibited work as a plaster medallion. Consequently, the present bronze cannot yet be claimed as the actual object exhibited in Liverpool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may instead represent a bronze version, a reformatted memorial adaptation or another treatment derived from the same portrait model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe remarkable correspondence between artist surname, probable initial, sitter and chronology nevertheless provides substantial grounds for the present attribution to Alice Gates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Sculptor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlice Gates was a British sculptor documented as active between 1892 and 1908, with recorded associations with Bradford and later South Kensington, London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer documented exhibition practice encompassed portrait sculpture and work in both plaster and bronze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe discovery of her 1902 exhibition of \u003cem\u003eThe late James Gordon, Esq.\u003c\/em\u003e provides the principal documentary foundation for attributing the present bronze to her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurther archival comparison between the surviving bronze and the documented 1902 plaster portrait may potentially strengthen or refine the attribution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Sitter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bronze unequivocally identifies its subject as James Gordon (1824–1901).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis precise biographical identity has not yet been securely established and consequently no profession, public office or specific Scottish identity is asserted within this catalogue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough earlier descriptions associated the work with Scotland, current research has not established a Scottish foundry, sculptor or place of manufacture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe more defensible present designation is therefore British.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReportedly from a private southern English collection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReportedly Swan, Tetsworth\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarlier provenance presently remains reported rather than independently documented.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 41 cm \/ 16.14 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth: 28 cm \/ 11.02 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDepth: 3 cm \/ 1.18 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: approximately 5 kg \/ 11.02 lb\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePresented in good antique condition with extensive historic patination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface displays dark brown-black patina, rubbed bronze highlights, scratches, abrasions and areas of blue-green verdigris.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse retains substantial oxidation and age-related surface variation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo obvious major structural fracture is apparent under normal inspection. No foundry mark has presently been identified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no current hanging fitting. An appropriately engineered mounting system should be installed before wall display due to the approximately 5 kg weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo abrasive polishing is recommended, as the historic patina forms an important part of the object's character and material history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorldwide Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorldwide shipping is available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the bronze relief, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternational buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribution and Research\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional photographs and further information are available upon request.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55123511509370,"sku":"","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0201\/2227\/1808\/files\/jamesgordon.jpg?v=1741366990","url":"https:\/\/cheshireantiquesconsultantltd.com\/it\/products\/attributed-to-alice-gates-bronze-portrait-relief-of-james-gordon-1824-1901-c-1902","provider":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}