Léon-Joseph Chavalliaud – Monumental Marble Bust of Mayor James Robert Creighton 1895

Léon-Joseph Chavalliaud – Monumental Marble Bust of Mayor James Robert Creighton, 1895 Signed London 1895 – An Important Late-Victorian Civic Portrait Highlights: * Monumental solid white marble portrait bust * By Léon-Joseph Chavalliaud (French, 1858–1919) * James Robert Creighton (1844–1896), twice Mayor of Carlisle * Signed and dated “Chavalliaud — London 1895” * Sculpted during Creighton’s lifetime * Classically conceived mantle and imposing academic composition * Finely modelled face with drilled pupils * Chavalliaud subsequently executed the Creighton Memorial portrait relief * Chiswick Auctions, London, 24 January 2023, Lot 204 * Approximately 64 × 60 × 40 cm * Weight approximately 100 kg * Supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution Introduction: A commanding signed and dated marble portrait of James Robert Creighton, twice Mayor of Carlisle, sculpted in London in 1895 by Léon-Joseph Chavalliaud. The monumental scale, closely observed physiognomy and sweeping classical mantle combine to create a work of considerable physical and historical presence. Catalogue Details: Artist: Léon-Joseph Chavalliaud Nationality: French Dates: 1858–1919 Sitter: James Robert Creighton, 1844–1896 Date: 1895 Place: London Medium: Solid white marble Inscription: “Chavalliaud — London 1895” Dimensions: Approximately 64 × 60 × 40 cm Weight: Approximately 100 kg Catalogue Note: Chavalliaud models Creighton with considerable individuality. The deeply set eyes and drilled pupils create psychological intensity, while the prominent moustache and long sideburns are rendered with a more textured finish than the smoother facial planes. A substantial classically conceived mantle crosses the exposed upper chest and envelops the shoulders in broad sculptural folds. Creighton died in 1896. Chavalliaud subsequently produced the portrait relief for the Creighton Memorial in Carlisle, erected in 1898. The precise relationship of this marble portrait to the subsequent memorial has not been established, but its 1895 date confirms that Chavalliaud had sculpted Creighton during his lifetime. The Sitter: James Robert Creighton was an important businessman and civic figure in Victorian Carlisle. A long-serving city councillor and twice Mayor of Carlisle, he became sufficiently identified with the civic life of the city that his death was followed by a publicly subscribed memorial. The Artist: Léon-Joseph Chavalliaud was a French sculptor whose British career encompassed portrait, architectural and commemorative sculpture. His work combines French academic training with the monumental requirements of late-Victorian British patronage. Provenance: Léon-Joseph Chavalliaud, London, 1895; signed and dated. Subsequent history presently untraced. Chiswick Auctions, London, Interiors, Homes & Antiques, 24 January 2023, Lot 204. Acquired from the above sale. Curated and currently offered by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution: The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record. Attribution and Research The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market. These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations. Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art. Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service. Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.