JOHN EDWARD JONES (1806-1862): A PAIR OF MARBLE BUSTS OF THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF DESART, 1861

JOHN EDWARD JONES (1806-1862): A PAIR OF MARBLE BUSTS OF THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF DESART, 1861

the 19th century white marble busts reputedly depicting John Otway O'Conner (O'Connor Cuffe), (1818-1865), the Third Earl of Desart, County Kilkenny, Ireland, and his wife Lady Elizabeth Lucy (1822-1898), Countess of Desart, the earl signed 'J E. JONES . Sc. LONDON 1861', both weathered,

64cm and 56cm high (2)

The present bust of the Countess of Desart closely resembles the marble bust of Queen Victoria that Jones produced in 1854, which was probably a commission from the Queen to William Dargan, Dublin. This marble bust of Queen Victoria was sold at Christie's, London, 8 December, 2021, lot 211. The hairstyle, diadem, pose and dress are all closely related, and this connection with Queen Victoria seems even more likely considering that the Countess of Desart held the position of Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen during this time. She may well have seen the bust that the Queen commissioned and commissioned a similar bust for herself and her husband from the renowned sculptor.

Related Literature:

R. Gunnis, Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851, revised edition, London, 1968, p. 221.
I. Roscoe, A Biographical Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851, New Haven, 2009, p. 674, no. 99.