This is one of an edition of statuettes of the Liberal politician, Gladstone. It shows him in ordinary dress speaking at a public meeting. It was apparently made from the life-size statue unveiled at the National Liberal Club in 1883. Apart from size and material, the statue and statuette are virtually identical apart from the watch chain which, in the Liberal Club version, hangs to left. 

During his career, Ford completed several public statues celebrating the lives of prominent contemporaries. His first successful statue was his Sir Rowland Hill, KCB, commissioned for the Royal Exchange in London. Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1882, the commission resulted from an open competition held in 1881 which helped establish Ford as one of the leading sculptors of his generation.

William Ewart Gladstone | National Museums Liverpool

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This is one of an edition of statuettes of the Liberal politician, Gladstone. It shows him in ordinary dress speaking at a public meeting. It was apparently made from the life-size statue unveiled at the National Liberal Club in 1883. Apart from size and material, the statue and statuette are virtually identical apart from the watch chain which, in the Liberal Club version, hangs to left. During his career, Ford completed several public statues celebrating the lives of prominent contemporaries. His first successful statue was his Sir Rowland Hill, KCB, commissioned for the Royal Exchange in London. Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1882, the commission resulted from an open competition held in 1881 which helped establish Ford as one of the leading sculptors of his generation.

William Ewart Gladstone

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