This is a rare and highly collectable plaster roundel featuring a relief portrait of the celebrated Glasgow architect Alexander Greek Thomson (1817 - 1875).
Although Thomson's work was published in the architectural press of his day, it was little appreciated outside Glasgow during his lifetime. It has only been since the 1950s and 1960s that his critical reputation has revived—not least of all in connection with his probable influence on Frank Lloyd Wright.
This large plaster roundel is designed for interior display only - and would look great in a Glasgow architect's office as a talking point - or indeed in a collection of smaller works by the monumental Scottish sculptor Sandy Stoddart.
Stoddart has taken as his starting point of inspiration for his plaque a formal photographic portrait of Thomson which was taken in about 1850.
The roundel is cast in relief in gleaming white plaster and bears the inscription: A. Thomson / Archt / MDCCCXVII / VXXV / A. Stoddart SC. 1993.
It has a diameter of 44.5 cm.
As you can see from my photographs - it is a lovely item - and it is in the most excellent condition - it is without damage and has no staining or dirty marks on the plaster surface.
Alexander ("Sandy") Stoddart is the Queen's Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland and works primarily on figurative sculpture in clay and plaster within the neoclassical tradition.
He is best known for his civic monuments, including monumental bronze statues of David Hume and Adam Smith, philosophers during the Scottish Enlightenment, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, and others of James Clerk Maxwell, William Henry Playfair, and John Witherspoon.
Stoddart wrote his undergraduate thesis on the life and work of John Mossman, an English sculptor who worked in Scotland for fifty years. It is interesting to note that a large heroic bust of Greek Thomson by Mossman is currently on display in Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow. Echoes of this are also seen in this more contemporary work by Stoddart.
Works by Stoddart do not often come up for sale - and this is a rare opportunity for you to acquire this interesting early work by him. It would look fabulous hanging in a neo-classical building in Glasgow.
Sadly, due to the potential fragility of the material - and danger of damage occurring in the post - this fabulous roundel medallion would have to be for pick up only - or perhaps for personal delivery to addresses in central Scotland.