Beautifully Displayed Plaster Casts after John Henning

John Henning (Scottish 1771-1851) A group of 19th century plaster plaques of the Bassae and Parthenon frieze, most with cast signatures ‘Henning F 1819’.

Henning was known to sign his copies as well as number and label them according to the original location of the friezes on the Parthenon. The present plaques bear notations S.13, SX1, S10, S9, S.8 & S7. It was during the 18th and 19th centuries the interest in classical sculpture was at its height, many original examples and copies adorned the country houses and art academies of Britain.

The famous Parthenon frieze formed part of Lord Elgin's collection of Greek sculpture, first displayed in England at Elgin's London home on the corner of Park Lane and Piccadilly from 1808.  John Henning was a Scottish born artist and one of the first to access the collection embarking on a project to make models of the Parthenon and Phigaleian friezes. He used intaglio carved slate as moulds for plaster casting, producing small tablet sections which were sold in boxes. Working for Josiah Wedgwood at the time, Henning took twelve years to complete the reliefs.

This set beautifully displayed in the original rosewood frame with fancy gilt-gesso mount. The top longest panel cracked although almost imperceptibly.  

English circa 1820.

15" X 23" inches.

Price

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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