A CARVED KEROSENE SHALE BUST OF HIS SON BY JOHN BAIRD
A 10% Goods and Services tax (G.S.T) will be charg… Read more
A CARVED KEROSENE SHALE BUST OF HIS SON BY JOHN BAIRD

CIRCA 1880

Details
A CARVED KEROSENE SHALE BUST OF HIS SON BY JOHN BAIRD
Circa 1880
Depicted looking straight ahead, on an integral oval socle, and square plinth
48 cm (19 in.) high
See illustration
Special notice
A 10% Goods and Services tax (G.S.T) will be charged on the Buyer's Premium in all lots in this sale

Lot Essay

John Baird (1843 - 1894), a postal worker and self-taught Sydney artist, who began carving kerosene shale after the untimely death of his seven year old son in 1880. Lacking a portrait or drawing of his son, Baird endeavoured to make a carved portrait of his own. It is certain that Baird considered materials such as wood and clay, yet finally settled on shale, which was inexpensive and easy to come by at the time. Whilst coal, a similar material to shale, was used in 19th century, England to create ornaments, the use of shale for such purposes is very unusual. Baird's works were generally small plaques, which were easy to fashion and usually depicted members of his family, as well as religious, political, sporting figures and internationally known identities

More from DECORATIVE ARTS

View All
View All