Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 163:
Description
19th Century High-Relief Bronze Profile Bust of George Washington, Mounted on Fabric-Covered Wood Plaque with Iron Hanging Chain, Cataloguer’s Notes Indicate Recovered "From Pub" Offered here is an antique bronze relief plaque depicting George Washington in classical profile, cast in hollow high relief and secured to its original wooden backing board by a central iron washer plate, threaded stud, and nut. No maker’s mark or foundry signature is visible in the supplied photographs, and no separate published history accompanies the piece; its story rests in the form and manner of its construction and mounting, which are consistent with commercial decorative work of the mid-to-late 19th century. The cataloguer’s note that the piece came "from pub" suggests a working life as a fixture of tavern or public-house decor, though this cannot be independently verified from the images alone. Profile busts of Washington proliferated throughout the 19th century, their popularity rooted in life portraits taken by Jean-Antoine Houdon and Gilbert Stuart and later codified in medallic form by engravers such as Christian Gobrecht at the U.S. Mint. As the Centennial year of 1876 approached, American and European foundries cast bronze portrait medallions and wall plaques of the first president in quantity for display in private libraries, fraternal lodge halls, civic buildings, and public houses, where such patriotic imagery served as a fixture of respectable decor. This example, with its queue-tied classical hairstyle and dignified bearing, sits within that broad tradition of commemorative Washingtoniana produced for the popular market rather than as a presentation or commissioned work. The bronze casting is the most significant element and shows an attractive, undisturbed surface: an age-appropriate golden-brown patina with pockets of verdigris, scattered dark oxidation, and light rub to the higher relief points of the nose, brow, and swept hair consistent with long display and handling. The reverse edge of the casting is plain and unmarked where visible. The bust is mounted to a substantial raw pine board, exposed at the reverse, and is fitted with an old iron chain strung across the upper portion for wall hanging, with a heavy circular iron washer plate, hex nut, and through-bolt securing the bronze centrally through the board. The original fabric covering – a coarse woven textile, likely felt or a heavy twill, dyed blue and now faded to tan and gray tones – survives only in fragmentary and deteriorated condition, with significant tears, fraying, staining, and losses exposing the bare pine beneath; cloth binding tape along the plaque’s edges has separated and lifted in places. No case, box, or accompanying paperwork is present. Condition of the bronze element is stable and displays well; the fabric-covered mount is in poor, heavily worn condition and would benefit from conservation or re-covering should a buyer wish to display the piece formally. A characterful survivor of America’s long-standing fascination with Washington imagery – the bronze bust remains strong and expressive even as its old fabric mount bears the honest, well-earned scars of a century or more of use.
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