Lot 2: Edward Onslow Ford , British 1852-1901 a bust of sir andrew Clarke (1824-1902) bronze, dark brown patina

signed and dated: E Onslow Ford 1886 stamped: J. MOORE. FOUNDER and inscribed: Sir Andrew Clarke GCMG. CB. CIE. RE bronze, dark brown patina

measurements note 51.5cm., 20¼in.

Sir Andrew Clarke was a military engineer who rose through the ranks of colonial offices to become Surveyor General of the Colony of Victoria, Australia. As a patron of the sciences he instigated Melbourne's Museum of Natural History and chose the site for the Botanical gardens.

This is an extremely finely cast example of Edward Onslow Ford's portraiture, and the faithfulness of the likeness is confirmed by contemporary photographic portraits of Clarke.