K. Wood
Sculpture
James Fell (Sculptor)
England, Europe
1824
Pine, white; Wood; Paint
Carved, Painted
1968.0018
Object Number1968.0018 |
Bust (figure)
K. Wood
Sculpture
Museum purchase
James Fell (Sculptor)
See Sarah M. Fell's Genealogy of the Fell Family in America. Privately printed for the Association of the Fell Family in Western Pennsylvania, 1891. The aforementioned text lists two men who may possibly be the sculptor. The first is James WIlkins Fell (July 5, 1807 - September 30, 1865) who married Rachel Skinner, Niagara Falls, and was a merchant and surveyor of provincial lands, Chippewa, Ontario. The second is James Fell (born July 5, 1782), who married Rebecca Taylor, Pelham (near Niagara Falls). Their children include: Anna F. Fell and Joseph E. Fell. Considering the date of the bust and the maturity of the sculptor, it seems that the earlier James Fell would be the more likely artist.
England, Europe
Per previous cataloguer and research: Origin probably Niagara Falls and River area of New York. Probably made in Maryport, Cumbria, England: Updated with new research by Ian Smith, shared by David Bridgwater, Wiltshire, England. See "Notes" [8/10/2022]
1824
1. Inscription; Reverse, beneath the shoulders on the socle; <>K<> WOOD <> 1824<>/ JA\s. FELL-
Portrait
Pine, white; Wood; Paint
Carved, Painted
27 (H) , 18.25 (W) , 10.75 (D)
68.58 (H) , 46.355 (W) , 27.305 (D)
Measurements at maximum.
New research suggests that this carved portrait bust of a man identified as K. Wood and dated 1824 belongs to a small group of carved portraits depicting members of a ship building family from the northwest coast of Cumbria, England. Kelsick Wood (1771-1840) first practiced as a shipbuilder in Workington until he relocated to Maryport. His firm there became K. Wood & Sons and flourished by the 1830s. Kelsick Wood was about 52 or 53 years old when his portrait was carved for display indoors, possibly at home or in his workplace. When this portrait bust was acquired by the museum its surface had been stripped of any paint or varnish; it received a new surface of white paint in 1968.
[Article] Davidson, Ruth. 1968 Museum Accessions: New at Winterthur. Antiques. 94 (6): 816.
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