FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
Rare sculpture of Big Ben heads to auction
A rare scale model of ‘Big Ben‘ commissioned by the British Travel and Holidays Association in 1965 to promote Britain in America, is to be offered at auction. The world-recognised clock tower at the Palace of Westminster was chosen as the iconic symbol of the country abroad and
The model was to be used for promotional purposes. While the tower is known colloquially as ‘Big Ben’, the name actually applies to the ‘Great Bell’ contained within the tower but is usually extended to include the tower itself. The official name of the tower in which ‘Big Ben’ is located was called the ‘Clock Tower’, until 2012 when it was renamed the ‘Elizabeth Tower’ to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The 99.5cm high model was produced by stage designer-turned model-maker Jack Inglis in his London ‘Toltec Studio’ and came complete with a working clock, light and its own bespoke travelling case. The model took six weeks to make and was entirely crafted by hand from wood and paper, with hand painted finishing.
Correspondence between the Association and the sculptor details the requested specifications, such as: “I would like it accurately to scale” and “coloured as the original”, with an “operative parliamentary light and clock”. A Daily Express article from 1972 features the sculptor with his handcrafted model, alongside the real-life ‘Big Ben’ on Westminster Bridge, where he’s introduced as creating ‘masterpieces of realism from balsa and card.’ The article goes on to say that perhaps the most flattering testimonial to his talents came from the keeper of Tower Bridge, who when shown a photograph of the model adamantly refused to believe it wasn’t the real thing.
Senior Valuer, British and European Sculpture at Dreweatts, Silas Currie Leigh-Wood says: “We are delighted to offer such a fine example of model making craftmanship, depicting one of London’s most iconic buildings”. The model was given to the current owner directly by the sculptor for his birthday 17 years ago and has remained in its’ box all of this time.
It will be offered for auction at Dreweatts in a sale titled Property from the Phillip Lucas Collection, Spitalfields House and other Properties including Garden Furniture and Statuary on December 1, 2022 and carries an estimate of £800-£1,200 (lot 655).
For more information on Dreweatts and upcoming sales, go to: www.dreweatts.com
About Dreweatts
Dreweatts auctioneers was established in 1759 and is one of the foremost auction houses in the UK. It comprises 22 specialist departments ranging from Fine Art (Old Master Paintings, British & European Pictures, Modern & Contemporary art), Jewellery and Watches, Silver, Wine, Books and Manuscripts, British & European Ceramics & Glass, Decorative Arts & Modern Design, Ephemera, Furniture, House Sales & Collections, Clocks, Barometers and Scientific Instruments, Asian Ceramics and Works of Art and Live Steam and Model Engineering. It holds regular specialist sales from a highly-qualified expert team, totalling more than 70 sales per year including curated Interiors sales, single owner collections and house sales.
Dreweatts is a member of the Gurr Johns group of international art advisory businesses. Its’ main saleroom is Donnington Priory in Newbury, Berkshire. It has a London showroom on Pall Mall, St James’s and caters to a global clientele.
As well as auctions, the company offers valuation services for private individuals, lawyers, executors, family offices and fiduciary agents to provide the necessary advice to assist with probate and estate management and market valuations, for possible sale. Dreweatts valuation services include free online auction valuations, virtual valuations, home visits and valuation days at our salerooms, where clients can receive advice on buying and selling from Dreweatts market-leading specialists.
