Benjamin Edward Spence Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Benjamin Edward Spence Art Value Price Guide

Mar. 14, 2023
Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866),
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866), Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866), 'The Highland Mary', a carved white marble figure, on an oval plinth, 44cm wide 31cm deep 124cm high For a similar example, see The Royal Collection Trust inventory number 2075. During the 1840s, Spence was sent to study in Rome under the atelier of Richard James Wyatt and John Gibson. As such, his work is defined a typically neoclassical depiction of contemporary figures. 'The Highland Mary' portrays Mary Morison - a famous nineteenth-century figure known for holding the affection of Scottish poet, Robert Burns. The sculpture illustrates Burns and Morison's final encounter, in which Burns swears eternal faithfulness, as evoked in his namesake poem: That heart that lo'ed me dearly! But still within my bosom's core Shall live my Highland Mary The sculpture was first commissioned in 1852 for notable businessman and potter, Charles Meigh, at his new residence of Grove House, in Shelton, Staffordshire. Spence went on to make several versions of 'The Highland Mary', including an example commissioned for Prince Albert as a birthday present to Queen Victoria, which now resides in the Guard Chamber at Buckingham Palace. Condition Report: For a similar example, see RCIN 2075 in the Royal Collection Trust.
Sworders
Oct. 20, 2022
BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE (1822-1866): A LARGE MARBLE FIGURE 'HIGHLAND MARY', CIRCA 1855
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE (1822-1866): A LARGE MARBLE FIGURE 'HIGHLAND MARY', CIRCA 1855 BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE (1822-1866): A LARGE MARBLE FIGURE 'HIGHLAND MARY' CIRCA 1855 the standing figure wearing a shawl, her long flowing drapery revealing her feet, on a shaped integral base, signed 'SPENCE FT. ROMAE.', 122cm high Footnote: Benjamin Edward Spence studied at the Liverpool Academy Schools, and later went out to Rome, where he became an assistant at the studio of the important Neo-Classical sculptor, John Gibson. He evenutally set up his own studio in Rome, and the Classical style he learnt under Gibson is still evident in this marble figure. Other versions depict Mary wearing a fringed shawl and holding a book, attributes which the previous generation of sculptors would not have added to their strictly classically inspired works. The present marble figure differs slightly in pose from the other versions of 'Highland Mary' but must surely represent the same subject, which was the sculptor's most famous work. Here, her right hand is raised to clutch at her shawl, rather than her left, but the emotive depiction is otherwise very similar. The most famous version of this marble is now on display in the Guard Chamber at Buckingham Palace, and is signed B.E. SPENCE FECIT ROMAE 1854. It was commissioned by Albert, the Prince Consort as a birthday gift to his wife, Queen Victoria. A fittingly romantic gift, as the work depicts Mary Campbell (1763-1786), the lover of poet Robert Burns, who died young from a fever, leaving the poet heartbroken; and composed several songs about her, including the 1792 ballad, "Highland Mary." O pale, pale now, those rosy lips, I aft hae kiss'd sae fondly! And clos'd for aye, the sparkling glance That dwalt on me sae kindly! And mouldering now in silent dust, That heart that lo'ed me dearly! But still within my bosom's core Shall live my Highland Mary. There are a number of other versions, including the 1852 example which is known to have been made for the wealthy businessman Charles Meigh of Grove House, Shelton. Another version is in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Inv. No. 136.1982, and another dated 1854, is at The Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool. Auction Comparable: See Bonhams New York, 23 January 2014, lot 1165, sold $37,500. This version dated 1859 and very similar to the Buckingham Palace example. Related Literature: Read, Benedict. Victorian Sculpture. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1982. Stevens, Timothy. "Spence, Benjamin Evans (bap. 1803, d. 1866)." The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Online ed. Viewed 22 March 2009. Art Journal (1852), p. 259, illustrated (1852 version) Art Journal (1866), p. 364 Art Journal (1870), p. 221 J. Murray Graham, M.A., An Historical View of Literature and Art in Great Britain, Longmans, Green & Company, 1871, p. 457 Edward Strahan, ed., The Art Treasures of America, vol. 2, George Barrie, 1880, p. 24.
Curated Auctions
Jun. 28, 2022
BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE (1822-1866): A LARGE MARBLE FIGURE 'HIGHLAND MARY', CIRCA 1855
Est: £4,000 - £6,000
BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE (1822-1866): A LARGE MARBLE FIGURE 'HIGHLAND MARY', CIRCA 1855 BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE (1822-1866): A LARGE MARBLE FIGURE 'HIGHLAND MARY' CIRCA 1855 the standing figure wearing a shawl, her long flowing drapery revealing her feet, on a shaped integral base, signed 'SPENCE FT. ROMAE.', 122cm high Footnote: Benjamin Edward Spence studied at the Liverpool Academy Schools, and later went out to Rome, where he became an assistant at the studio of the important Neo-Classical sculptor, John Gibson. He evenutally set up his own studio in Rome, and the Classical style he learnt under Gibson is still evident in this marble figure. Other versions depict Mary wearing a fringed shawl and holding a book, attributes which the previous generation of sculptors would not have added to their strictly classically inspired works. The present marble figure differs slightly in pose from the other versions of 'Highland Mary' but must surely represent the same subject, which was the sculptor's most famous work. Here, her right hand is raised to clutch at her shawl, rather than her left, but the emotive depiction is otherwise very similar. The most famous version of this marble is now on display in the Guard Chamber at Buckingham Palace, and is signed B.E. SPENCE FECIT ROMAE 1854. It was commissioned by Albert, the Prince Consort as a birthday gift to his wife, Queen Victoria. A fittingly romantic gift, as the work depicts Mary Campbell (1763-1786), the lover of poet Robert Burns, who died young from a fever, leaving the poet heartbroken; and composed several songs about her, including the 1792 ballad, "Highland Mary." O pale, pale now, those rosy lips, I aft hae kiss'd sae fondly! And clos'd for aye, the sparkling glance That dwalt on me sae kindly! And mouldering now in silent dust, That heart that lo'ed me dearly! But still within my bosom's core Shall live my Highland Mary. There are a number of other versions, including the 1852 example which is known to have been made for the wealthy businessman Charles Meigh of Grove House, Shelton. Another version is in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Inv. No. 136.1982, and another dated 1854, is at The Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool. Auction Comparable: See Bonhams New York, 23 January 2014, lot 1165, sold $37,500. This version dated 1859 and very similar to the Buckingham Palace example. Related Literature: Read, Benedict. Victorian Sculpture. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1982. Stevens, Timothy. "Spence, Benjamin Evans (bap. 1803, d. 1866)." The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Online ed. Viewed 22 March 2009. Art Journal (1852), p. 259, illustrated (1852 version) Art Journal (1866), p. 364 Art Journal (1870), p. 221 J. Murray Graham, M.A., An Historical View of Literature and Art in Great Britain, Longmans, Green & Company, 1871, p. 457 Edward Strahan, ed., The Art Treasures of America, vol. 2, George Barrie, 1880, p. 24.
Curated Auctions
Mar. 24, 2021
AMENDMENT: Please note it has been suggested the sitter of this lot is Dr Charles Holland MD, FRS, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1849, no. 1283.
Est: £1,500 - £2,500
AMENDMENT: Please note it has been suggested the sitter of this lot is Dr Charles Holland MD, FRS, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1849, no. 1283. Benjamin Edward Spence, English, 1823-1866, a marble portrait bust of a gentleman, mid 19th century, depicted looking straight ahead, his hair curling at the temples and with long sideburns, signed B.E.SPENCE FT, ROMA, 60cm high Note: Benjamin Edward Spence was born in Liverpool, the son of the sculptor William Spence. Through his father's friendship with John Gibson, Benjamin travelled to Rome in 1846. In Rome Spence joined the studio of Richard James Wyatt, while simultaneously receiving guidance from Gibson. On Wyatt's death in 1850, Spence completed his works and took over the studio. He spent most of his working life in Rome, visiting England annually for the Royal Academy shows. He exhibited at the Royal Academy himself from 1849 to 1866. The present lot is a fine example of the sculptor's portraiture and skill in carving marble. Executed in a Neo-Classical style, it reveals the influence of an earlier generation of sculptors working in Rome. The sitter would have been an English gentleman on the Grand Tour, who would have sat for Spence in his Roman studio. Please refer to department for condition report
Roseberys
Dec. 12, 2018
BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE | Herm Bust of a Gentleman
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
white marble
Sotheby's
Feb. 05, 2017
BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE, BRITISH (1822-1866) A marble statue of a maiden in contrapposto pose of Flora, with flowers in her hair and hands, the folds of drapery finely modelled in the Greek manner signed and dated on circular plinth, [B].E. Spence, Fecit Romae 1850
Est: $15,000 - $25,000
BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE, BRITISH (1822-1866) A marble statue of a maiden in contrapposto pose of Flora, with flowers in her hair and hands, the folds of drapery finely modelled in the Greek manner signed and dated on circular plinth, [B].E. Spence, Fecit Romae 1850 155 cm high PROVENANCE Seago, London Benjamin Edward Spence was born in Liverpool, the son of the sculptor William Spence (1793-1849). In his early career he was sent to Rome, where he trained with the important neoclassical sculptors John Gibson (1790-1866) and R.J. Wyatt (1795-1850), and later established his own studio.
Mossgreen Auctions
Jun. 16, 2016
A marble statue of Venus Marina by Benjamin Edward Spence, dated 1866
Est: £2,000 - £4,000
A marble statue of Venus Marina by Benjamin Edward Spence, dated 1866 the semi naked standing subject wearing a wreath of sea shells in her hair and flowing swags of satin, standing on a base carved with waves and a scallop shell h:120 cm Literature: A biographical dictionary of sculptors in Britain, 1660-1851 Edited Ingrid Roscoe Benjamin Edward Spence was born in Liverpool 1823 and trained at the Liverpool Academy as a stone carver. In 1844 he moved to Rome to work in Richard James Wyatt's studio where he developed a soft neo-classical style similar to that of Wyatt. He took over Wyatt's studio after his death in 1850. Most of Spence's work was sold directly from his studio although he did exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts six times. He died young in 1866. His work forms part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. In 1993 the Musee d'Orsay, Paris purchased a piece; one of the few works of a British sculptor to find a place in the museum. The Venus Marina, also known as Amphitrite, is typical of Spence's style. The figure stands draped in flowing robes, her right arm raised with waves and shells at her feet. It is signed and dated B.E. SPENCE / FT ROMAE 1866. There are three other known versions of this sculpture. One dated 1865 was at Hereford Town Hall, another situated at Lytham St Anne's Town Hall and the third sold at Christie's 17 January 2006 Lot 253. This sculpture's provenance can be traced back to the 1950s and has been in a garden for over 60 years. It is possible that it is one of the two untraced Venus' sold at Christies' Spence Sale 4 June 1870.
Cheffins
Apr. 15, 2015
AFTER BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE (ENGLISH, 1822-1866) A pair of white marble figures
Est: -
AFTER BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE (ENGLISH, 1822-1866) A pair of white marble figures
Bonhams
Dec. 11, 2014
Benjamin Edward Spence
Est: £40,000 - £60,000
Benjamin Edward Spence
Sotheby's
Aug. 20, 2013
After Benjamin Spence (1822-1866)Highland Mary
Est: -
After Benjamin Spence (1822-1866)Highland Mary
Bonhams
Nov. 16, 2011
BENJAMIN EDWARD SPENCE
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION BRITISH 1822-1866 REBECCA AT THE WELL signed B. SPENCE. FECIT / ROMAE. 1855 white Carrara marble height 58 1/2 in. 148.5 cm
Sotheby's
Sep. 08, 2009
Benjamin Edward Spence (English, 1822-1866): A mid 19th century white marble statue of a classical maiden
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
the barefoot figure standing by a tree stump, her head turned down looking at a dove which she holds in her left hand, the other hand feeding the bird, her hair held back from her face with ribbons, raised on a naturalistically shaped base, signed to back of tree stump B.E SPENCE FECIT ROME and dated 1848, 25cm wide, 81cm high (9.5" wide, 31.5" high)
Bonhams
Jun. 09, 2009
Benjamin Edward Spence (English, 1822-1866): A mid 19th century white marble statue of a classical maiden
Est: £2,500 - £3,500
the barefoot figure standing by a tree stump, her head turned down looking at a dove which she holds in her left hand, the other hand feeding the bird, her hair held back from her face with ribbons, raised on a naturalistically shaped base, signed to back of tree stump B.E SPENCE FECIT ROME and dated 1848, 25cm wide, 81cm high (9.5" wide, 31.5" high)
Bonhams
Apr. 22, 2009
Benjamin Edward Spence, English (1822-1866) A mid 19th Century white marble statue of a Woman
Est: £3,500 - £4,000
the classically dressed barefoot figure standing by a tree stump, her head turned down looking at a dove which she holds in her left hand, the other hand feeding the bird, her hair held back from her face with ribbons, raised on a naturalistically shaped base, signed to back of tree stump B.E SPENCE FECIT ROME and dated 1848, 25cm wide, 81cm high (9.5" wide, 31.5" high)
Bonhams
May. 24, 2001
Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866): A white marble figure of Psyche at the Spring,
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866): A white marble figure of Psyche at the Spring, mid 19th Century, standing semi draped and holding a pitcher in her right hand on stepped circular base signed B E Spence, 102cm.; 42ins high, and on cylindrical white marble column the sides carved in high relief with ribbon-tied floral swags beneath Greek key border, 85cm.; 33Iins. high Born in Liverpool in 1822 Spence died in Leghorn, Italy on October 21, 1866. He was the son and pupil of William Spence, a wood carver, and produced portrait busts, genre figures and groups in the mood of the Romantic movement.His works include The Lady of the Lake, Highland Girl, Hippolyte and Psyche at the Spring. Literature: Western Sculptors in Bronze, James Mackay
Sotheby's