Lot Essay
Walter Gilbert (c. 1870s-1946) was a prolific and versatile sculptor, specialising in ornamental metalwork and free-standing figures. Gilbert founded the Bromsgrove Guild in 1894 with a view to designing decorative ironwork. In 1900 the guild won an award for its entry in the Paris Exhibition, and the candelabra and electric fittings were acquired by the Vienna Art Museum. In 1905 Gilbert obtained the commission for the gates and railings of Buckingham Palace, subsequently in 1908 the guild obtained the Royal Warrant, which continued into the reign of King George V. From this date onwards the guild undertook several important commissions, including the reredos of Liverpool Cathedral and the bronze doors to the Bank of England.
Gilbert also executed a series of garden statues and fountains together with a colleague from the Guild Louis Weingartner, and published a booklet on these works (op. cit.). The booklet has a fascinating introduction by Kineton Parkes, the art critic, and includes the present lead figure of Pan. Parkes speaks of the role of garden statuary thus: "Sculpture in a garden combines human interest with the myths of bygone years and accentuates the ever-recurring mysteries of Nature's annual rebirth." Gilbert chose the subject of Pan for he was the great god of the countryside, and in particular the inventor of the pipes and music in nature. The present statue, entitled The First Singing Lesson depicts the god in his role of music maker teaching the birds. The entry on the figure in the booklet explains the position of the owl: "The owl sulked, was turned out of the class and does not sing to this day". The wit present in this sculpture is typical of the flamboyant Gilbert, and Parkes remarked: "... there is a delicious feeling of whimsicality rarely met with in sculpture, but when encountered in garden sculpture immediately produces the feeling of entire suitability to the garden mood." (op. ct.). An idiosyncratic and original work, Pan stands as an enchanting Art Deco work by Walter Gilbert, the inscription on it suggest that it was executed in 1929 and with the collaboration of Louis Weingartner in the casting.
Gilbert also executed a series of garden statues and fountains together with a colleague from the Guild Louis Weingartner, and published a booklet on these works (op. cit.). The booklet has a fascinating introduction by Kineton Parkes, the art critic, and includes the present lead figure of Pan. Parkes speaks of the role of garden statuary thus: "Sculpture in a garden combines human interest with the myths of bygone years and accentuates the ever-recurring mysteries of Nature's annual rebirth." Gilbert chose the subject of Pan for he was the great god of the countryside, and in particular the inventor of the pipes and music in nature. The present statue, entitled The First Singing Lesson depicts the god in his role of music maker teaching the birds. The entry on the figure in the booklet explains the position of the owl: "The owl sulked, was turned out of the class and does not sing to this day". The wit present in this sculpture is typical of the flamboyant Gilbert, and Parkes remarked: "... there is a delicious feeling of whimsicality rarely met with in sculpture, but when encountered in garden sculpture immediately produces the feeling of entire suitability to the garden mood." (op. ct.). An idiosyncratic and original work, Pan stands as an enchanting Art Deco work by Walter Gilbert, the inscription on it suggest that it was executed in 1929 and with the collaboration of Louis Weingartner in the casting.