John (1834) Baird Paintings & Artwork for Sale | John (1834) Baird Art Value Price Guide

Sep. 22, 2024
John Baird (1834-1894) Rare Australian kerosene shale figure of a gentleman, Ex Caroline Simpson Collection. Approx 28cm H x 8cm square 19th century, John Baird (1834-1894) was an amateur sculptor who was a postman in...
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
John Baird (1834-1894) Rare Australian kerosene shale figure of a gentleman, Ex Caroline Simpson Collection. Approx 28cm H x 8cm square 19th century John Baird (1834-1894) was an amateur sculptor who was a postman in Sydney. He worked in kerosene shale, an unusual material for sculpture, which was mined on the North Shore and at Hartley and although he did not exhibit his work during his lifetime it was the subject of an article in the "Illustrated Sydney News" in 1886 titled Carvings in Shale- a Sydney Postman's Discovery. He specialized in animals, medallions of notable people, and members of his family. The bust of Jane, his wife, is in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia.
Vickers & Hoad
Feb. 22, 2022
Rare Ambrotype Portrait of John Baird (1834-1894)
Est: $400 - $600
in ebonised frame carved by John Baird
Shapiro Auctioneers
Feb. 22, 2022
John Baird (1834-1894) Kerosene Shale Relief Portrait of a Gentleman, Late Quarter 19th Century
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
circular plaque, facing front with one hand in waistcoat
Shapiro Auctioneers
Jun. 20, 2021
A carved kerosene shale portrait bust by John Baird, Sydney, circa 1875
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
A carved kerosene shale portrait bust by John Baird, Sydney, circa 1885 reputedly an image of John Baird's son, Lignite 48cm high PROVENANCE John Hawkins Antiques, Tasmania NOTE John Baird (1834-1894) was an amateur sculptor who was a postman in Sydney. He worked in kerosene shale, an unusual material for sculpture, which was mined on the North Shore and at Hartley and although he did not exhibit his work during his lifetime it was the subject of an article in the "Illustrated Sydney News" in 1886 titled Carvings in Shale- a Sydney Postman's Discovery. He specialised in animals, medallions of notable people, and members of his family. The bust of Jane, his wife, is in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia.
Gibson's
Nov. 01, 2020
A KEROSENE SHALE BUST OF A YOUNG MAN BY JOHN BAIRD
Est: $40,000 - $60,000
A KEROSENE SHALE BUST OF A YOUNG MAN BY JOHN BAIRD Thought to depict Baird's son. Late quarter 19th century. Height 48cm OTHER NOTES: John Baird (1834-1894) was an amateur sculptor who was a postman in Sydney. He worked in kerosene shale, an unusual material for sculpture, which was mined on the North Shore and at Hartley and although he did not exhibit his work during his lifetime it was the subject of an article in the "Illustrated Sydney News" in 1886 titled Carvings in Shale- a Sydney Postman's Discovery. He specialised in animals, medallions of notable people, and members of his family. The bust of Jane, his wife, is in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia.
Leonard Joel
Feb. 08, 2015
John Baird (1843-1894) Jenny
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
John Baird (1843-1894) Jenny A Late Victorian Kerosene shale portrait medallion titled Jenny verso. Brass suspension ring 15cm diam
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Feb. 08, 2015
John Baird (1843-1894) Lydia
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
John Baird (1843-1894) Lydia A Late Victorian Kerosene shale portrait medallion titled, Lydia, signed with initials and dated 1883 to verso. Brass suspension ring 16 cm diam
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Nov. 18, 2012
A late Victorian Kerosene shale portrait medallion, titled Acness 1884 by John Baird (1834-1894)
Est: AUD3,000 - AUD5,000
by John Baird (1834-1894) depicting a young girl in profile, 17cm dia
Bonhams
Nov. 18, 2012
A late Victorian Kerosene shale portrait medallion titled WE Gladstone, 1884 by John Baird (1834-1894)
Est: AUD3,000 - AUD5,000
by John Baird (1834-1894) depicting the profile of William Ewart Gladstone, the four times British Prime Minister, 17cm wide, 19cm high
Bonhams
Nov. 21, 2010
John Baird (1834-1894) (attributed)Bust of a native, circa 1880
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
John Baird (1834-1894) (attributed) Bust of a native, circa 1880 Carved kerosene shale portrait bust, 62 cm high. History: John Baird (1834-1894) was a Scottish immigrant who worked as a postman in Sydney in the latter part of the 19th century, pursuing sculpting as a pastime. Little is known of how he came to take up this hobby, with the exception of an article published in the Illustrated Sydney News, 15th June 1886, which attributes the development of his interest in statuary to an early carving in the likeness of his son, who died at the age of seven. Kerosene shale, or cannel coal, was Baird's chosen medium, largely due to its ready availability, suitability for carving and low cost. Baird's later subjects were to include members of parliament, royalty and other dignitaries. Several examples of his smaller works, particularly portrait medallions and figurines, have come to light in recent years. However, few examples of Baird's portrait busts are known outside of public collections. A bust depicting Baird's wife, Jane Baird, is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia. Reference: K. Scarlett, Australian Sculptors, Nelson, Melbourne 1980, p. 27; Anne Gray (ed), Australian art in the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 2002. Note: for further examples of John Baird's work, see Leonard Joel, European and Australian Decorative Arts and Fine Furniture, 23rd November 2009, lot 91; and Bonham's & Goodman, Australian & International Fine Art, 23 April 2008, lot 11.
Leonard Joel
Sep. 17, 2002
A KEROSENE SHALE CARVED RELIEF MEDALLION OF DR VAUGHAN BY JOHN BAIRD, (Born 1843)
Est: $1,632 - $2,720
titled, signed with initials and dated 1883 to verso. The Clergyman shown looking to the left in profile, bust lenght wearing a soutane and pectoral cross, brass suspension ring 15.5 cm (6 in.) diameter See illustration NOTES 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 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. The Most Reverend Roger William Bede Vaughan, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney and author, was born in Ross, Herefordshire, England in 1834 to a prominent and wealthy family with a tradition of leadership in the Catholic Church. Vaughan began his illustrious career in 1853, when he was accepted in to the Benedictine Order and took the name Brother Bede. In 1855 his father sent him to Rome to further his studies and four years later in 1859 he was ordained a priest. In 1861 he took the position of Professor of Philosophy at Belmont near Hereford and served as Cathedral Prior from 1862-1873. It was during this time that he wrote The Life and Labours of St. Thomas of Aquinus in two volumes. Although reluctant and somewhat unhappy with his position at Belmont, Vaughan accepted an appointment as Coadjutor-Archbishop of Sydney in 1873. Once in his position in Sydney, Vaughan found that his ideas on running the Church clashed with those of Archbishop Polding's and promptly set out to make changes. It was only in 1877 upon Polding's death that Vaughan succeeded as Archbishop of Sydney. During his time as Archbishop, Vaughan defended Catholic rights and created an education system which was strengthened by sound financial administration and good religious teachers so that between 1873-83 the number of schools and pupils in Sydney more than doubled. Vaughan's relentless work eventually became a physical strain, which saw his health rapidly deteriorate, and whilst stopping at Liverpool, England, on his way to recruit teachers in Rome in 1883, he died suddenly in his sleep. He was buried at Belmont but was later re-interred in the crypt of St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney in 1946.
Christie's