LISBON.- An extremely rare silver sculpture of the Duke of Wellington by ROBERT GARRARD II – dated London 1838/39 – will be offered at VERITAS auction next week. The two-day evening sale takes place on 9 and 10 December featuring important Antiques and Works of Art, Silver and Jewellery.

Depicting Arthur Wellesley (1st Duke of Wellington) in uniform, astride Copenhagen, holding the reins on his left hand and a telescope at the right, this impressive work by the crown jeweller was produced from a model designed by EDMUND COTTERILL in his early years as chief designer at R&S GARRARD.

Some bronze casts of this model retailed by GARRARD are known in private collections worldwide but it is exceptionally rare to find examples of the first ones that were produced in silver, as is the case of the one now offered at auction. One silver model was displayed on the sideboard at Apsley House – Wellington’s London palace – and also on the Waterloo Banqueting table, from 1837 to 1851.

Edmund Cotterill (1795-1860) attended the Royal Academy Schools in 1820 and exhibited at the Academy between 1822 and 1858. Cotterill achieved impressive popularity and is responsible for the imposing reputation that Garrard silver and bronze sculptures achieved during this time.

According to the “Illustrated London News of 1842, Coterill deservedly stands at the head of the class of artists who model for silversmiths and his production, annually exhibited at Messrs. Garrards, have earned for that house a celebrity witch no other can equal.

During this time Garrard produced magnificent sculptures, centrepieces and well-known trophies of sporting events: Ascot, Doncaster, Goodwood Cups and even The America’s Cup in 1848.

In 1840 Prince Albert asked Cotterill to make a model of his greyhound Eos. In 1842/3 the model was used to make a centrepiece now in exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Robert Garrard II was one of the most important silversmiths of his time and heir (with his brothers James and Sebastian) of his brilliant father, Robert Garrard I. The firm and name of Garrard deserved royal patronage since the 18th century and achieved the title of Royal Jewellers in 1830 and the unique position as Crown Jewellers in 1843.

The auction full catalogue is available online at www.veritasleiloes.com. The sale preview takes place from 4th to 8th December [all days from 10am-9pm, except for Friday and Saturday from 10am-10:30pm] at Avenida Elias Garcia, 157A/B, Lisbon, Portugal. The sale takes place on the 9th and 10th at 9pm, at the same venue.