George E. Bissell, Abraham Lincoln Bust

Description

This handsome Abraham Lincoln Bust, by George Bissell is perfectly sized for display. Modeled after Bissell’s life-size Lincoln Emancipator Group in Edinburgh, Scotland, subsequently replicated at Clermont, Iowa in 1903. These downsized versions show Bissell’s ability to capture the personality of his subject and to render that subject in a compelling yet delicate fashion.

Bissell learned sculpting in his father’s marble business and, after Civil War service with the 23rd CT. as a Navy paymaster, he rejoined his father and crafted life-sized statues.  Among his other important public works is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Waterbury, CT.  Founded in 1831,

Gorham’s Bronze Division came into being in 1890; Augustus St. Gaudens and Daniel Chester French also used Gorham for their bronze castings.  While the “standing” statuettes, modeled like this one after the magisterial Edinburgh statue, are somewhat common, this bust is not; in fact, this is probably only the third we’ve handled in my 53 years here.  Later, smaller, and similar-only copies of this bust are also common but much less desirable or even finely wrought as is this 19^th century production by Gorham’s foundry. 

(Abraham Lincoln) Bissell, George E. Bronze Bust.  New York:  Gorham Company Founders, 1898.  14-1/2” tall, 7” wide, 7” deep; sitting on a 3” bronze base.  Produced in the preferred “lost wax” method and incised with Bissell’s signature and Gorham’s foundry mark and dated.  A wonderfully rich, chocolate-brown patina.