Alexander Macdonald (Scottish, born 1847)
A 19th century carved white marble bust of John Hungerford Arkwright
Facing forward, with a full beard, on a socle base, signed to the reverse: ALEX. MACDONALD/FECIT ROMÆ 1868, together with a red and grey veined marble veneered column, 45cm wide, 27cm deep, 70cm high (17 1/2in wide, 10.5in deep, 27.5in high) the column: 90cm (35in) high
Footnotes:
John Hungerford Arkwright (1833-1905) was known as 'Johnny' to the family to distinguish him from his father. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (graduated 1856), he inherited the Hampton Court estate, Herefordshire (10,250 acres) from his father in February 1858 (his mother wrote 'you are early called to the 'battle of life' with more than usual cares & responsibilities'). A man of immense energy, Johnny threw himself into estate and county affairs.

His father having renovated the house itself, Johnny entered into the spirit of mid-century 'model farming' borrowing heavily to enlarge the estate to 10,500 acres and to undertake the improvement of his farms, particularly sub-soil drainage. From 1859 he began to show the pedigree herd of Hereford Cattle founded by his father in 1819, winning over 330 prizes nationally, and co-founded the Hereford Herd Book Society. He sat on the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and was made Vice-President in 1898 ('for age, not merit or intellect,' he wrote to his wife).

He was also Joint Master of the North Herefordshire Hunt, and founder of the Herefordshire Philharmonic Society (see Lot 99), as well as Chairman of the Stewards of Hereford's Three Choirs Festival. He enjoyed fishing, shooting and cricket and was a noted horticulturalist. He served as Chief Steward of Leominster, County Councillor and Alderman, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1862, and as Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire 1902-1904. He was remembered by a contemporary as 'the epitome of the English squire'.

Johnny married in 1866 Lucy Davenport of Foxley, Herefordshire. They went to Italy on a honeymoon tour in 1868, when this bust was carved.

With thanks to Catherine Beale for her historical guidance and research on this lot.

Born in Rome in 1847, Alexander Macdonald was the son of the renowned Scottish sculptor Lawrence Macdonald (1799-1878) who he apprenticed under at his father's studio in the piazza Barberini, formerly being the studio of Bertel Thorvaldsen. The previous lot, of Mrs John Hungerford, was carved in Rome in the same year by his father.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP
TP Lot will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date.