19th & 20th Century European Sculpture

/

Lot 167
  • 167

George James Frampton British, 1860-1928

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • George James Frampton
  • Peter Pan
  • monogrammed: GF and dated 1918 and inscribed with an encircled PP
  • bronze, mid-brown patina, on veined green marble base

Condition

Overall the condition of the bronze is excellent with some minor wear to the patina consistent with age.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

In 1911 an anonymous donor commissioned George Frampton to create a sculpture of Peter Pan to be placed on the very spot in Kensington gardens where the magical boy appears nightly in J M Barrie's Little White Bird of 1901, the first book in which the character appears. In fact the anonymous donor was the author himself. He had the bronze erected in secret on 29th and 30th 1912, so that it would seem to have magically appeared. Frampton exhibited the model at the Royal Academy in 1911. In writing his tales of Peter Pan J M Barrie was inspired by a family of boys - the Llewelyns. George Llewelyn was the inspiration for the character of Peter Pan, and Frampton used his brother Michael as the inspiration for his sculpture.

In the full scale monument Peter Pan is lifted up on a swirling rock populated by fairies, bunny rabbits, squirrels and mice. He raises his pipe to his mouth and plays to the spirits of the children who play in the park. Frampton's sprightly Peter proved to be a perennially popular model and casts of the monument are to be found as far afield as Brussels, New Jersey, Toronto and Perth, Australia. Parts of the original plaster model are in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Following its immediate popular appeal, Frampton produced a bronze reduction of the main figure as an independent statuette.

RELATED LITERATURE
Read pp.315-317; Royal Academy Exhibitors, vol. II, p. 106; Bilbey & Trusted, pp. 266 & 267