Death Mask?

[japeflakes]

I have been sent this by a family member who is moving house. I was asked if I knew who it was etc but no idea.  It was thought it was a "death mask". Any clues from the experts on here please?

[Uhnnohn]

Is it just a side view?
Perhaps then it is just someone's artwork.

I think most death masks are full-face front only
And they don't include the back of the head

Perhaps someone else has seen some like this

[Gadget]

I agree. It looks like a head and shoulders profile sculpture, possibly mounted. Can you ask what type of mount it is or is it free standing?

[Hollander]

Not a death mask. Looks very much like Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham (1778-1868), who was Lord High Chancellor in the 1830s (see link below).
In the 19th c it was quite common for ceramic busts, figures, and bas relief profile plaques of political and other figures to be sold as ornaments.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Brougham,_1st_Baron_Brougham_and_Vaux

[japeflakes]

I agree. It looks like a head and shoulders profile sculpture, possibly mounted. Can you ask what type of mount it is or is it free standing?

I am told :

In a wooden case. 

was hung on a wall.

How would it be "made" ?

[Gadget]

I think it would be molded in clay probably over armatures (framework). Then cast  in ? plaster and mounted on board.

I did a similar self portrait when I was in 1st year of degree course - can't remember how I did it now. It was long ago and it was a full head.

 


Gadget 

[japeflakes]

Would it be modelled with the client sitting opposite the artist? No idea how long it would take but looks a very detailed job.  Would it be done in clay and then (somehow) a plaster cast made (but not in reverse) . Really am unclear as to how it worked.

[Gadget]

It would be sketched from life or from  a photo and worked up in clay over the supports with, maybe, some sittings or just from the photo.sketches.  Then a hollow  cast made and, probably, whatever the final material would be poured in to the cast.mold, left to set and removed.

This is all from memories of many years ago!  I did this with an old boot that I found on the beach and other beach finds.

[Gadget]

jp -- here's a video that you might be interested in, also other videos are listed below it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKFH6BXEdsg