19th C. English Bronze of a Beloved Soldier of the h.a.c by Thomas Fowke/S

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19th Century English Bronze of a Beloved Soldier of the H.A.C by Thomas Fowke/s
Bronze Standing Figure of Captain John … Read more 19th Century English Bronze of a Beloved Soldier of the H.A.C by Thomas Fowke/s
Bronze Standing Figure of Captain John P. Field H.A.C (Honourable Artillery Company)
By Thomas Fowke/s, UK (1829 -1887) Some Works Exhibited at the Royal Academy
Signed to the right hand side T. FOWKE. Sc. LONDON. 1865

Beloved Inscription on front:

'Presented to Captain John P. Field H.A.C
By his friends
THOs. R Downes, John A. Silk, CHAs. Reeve & WILLm. Winsor
In testimony of their personal regard, their appreciation of his
zeal in the volenteer (sic) movement of 1860, & of his amiable social
qualities, sterling worth and honorable character'

A remarkable bronze standing figure capturing the esteemed Captain John P. Field of the Honourable Artillery Company, sculpted by the renowned British artist Thomas Fowke (1829-1887). This extraordinary portrait sculpture stands at an impressive 31.5 inches in height, 10 inches in width, and 9 inches in depth, boasting a weight exceeding 50 pounds, underscoring its substantial and commanding presence.

The meticulous detailing of Captain Field's full dress uniform is unparalleled, featuring an HAC-embossed hat adorned with tassels, a distinctive H.A.C buckle, belts, sashes, and badges, including the National Rifle Association badge on the left arm. The captain is elegantly depicted holding a (associated) 16.5-inch-long, 2.5-inch-wide dress sword.

This bronze sculpture is securely raised on a canted square plinth base measuring 7 inches in width and 7.5 inches in depth. The base bears the artist's signature, "T. FOWKE. Sc. LONDON. 1865.," attesting to its historical significance. An inscription on the front further enhances the piece's sentimental value, making it a truly cherished work of art for enthusiasts of military history. This substantial work not only pays homage to a distinguished military figure but also stands as a testament to the artistic prowess of Thomas Fowke.

Honourable Artillery Company:
The HAC can trace its history back as far as 1087, but it received a royal charter from Henry VIII on 25 August 1537, when Letters Patent were received by the Overseers of the Fraternity or Guild of St George authorising them to establish a perpetual corporation for the defence of the realm to be known as the Fraternity or Guild of Artillery

The Volunteer Force was a citizen army of part-time rifle, artillery and engineer corps, created as a popular movement throughout the British Empire in 1859.
The Militia and Volunteer Force were both re-organised in the 1850s. These forces were originally local-service, embodied during wartime or emergency, and placed under the control of Lords-Lieutenant of counties, and, in British colonies, under the colonial governors. After the British Army's Regular Reserve was created in 1859. In 1860, control of the Company moved from the Home Office to the War Office
Act of Parliament, 21 July 1863. Volunteer Act 1863, An act to consolidate and amend the Acts relating to the Volunteer Force in Great Britain.

National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom
A registered charity with a Royal Charter, the NRA’s charitable objectives are to promote and encourage marksmanship throughout the King's dominions in the interest of defense and the permanence of the volunteer and auxiliary forces, naval, military and air. See less