Lot 323: Matthew Noble R.A., English (1817-1876) A marble bust of Henry Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne (1811-1864)

depicted all antica, wearing a toga and looking slightly to dexter, on a waisted socle, inscribed verso Duke of Newcastle PC/ M Noble S/ London/ 1857
84cm (33") high

Provenance: The Earl Waldegrave (as recorded in Gunnis)
Subsequently in the collection of the late Tony Banks, Baron Stratford (1942-2006) and sold as part of The Tony Banks Collection: Political art and memorabilia, Bonhams London, 3rd May 2007, lot 105.

Noble exhibited prolifically at the Royal Academy between 1845 and 1876. His first great success came when he won the commission to produce the Duke of Wellington monument in Manchester in 1856, beating off stiff competition from older, more experienced sculptors. The monument was received with great critical acclaim and helped him to win a further commissioned to design and produce the Albert Memorial of Manchester, which he completed between 1862 and 1865. He also produced numerous portraits of Queen Victoria, one of which was reproduced in Parian ware.

Literature: R. Gunnis Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851, The Abbey Library, London, page 275.
D. Bilbey & M. Trusted British Sculpture 1470-2000 A Concise Catalogue of the Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, V&A Publications, London, 2002, page 347.