William Potts
Active: 1851 - 1853
Function: Decorative metallic works and sepulchral monuments in bronze
Policy: 'Patented Sepulchral Monuments'.
Text quotes manufacturer's [Potts] own description:
'[I was...] led to adopt the invention from a knowledge that the deposition of metal-work ensured true types of the model with its expression unimpaired, while the under-cut surfaces allowed of perfection in outline, and of the bold shadows on which artistic force so much depends. The mounting of sculptural works in bronze with architectural framings or supports in marble or stone, distinguishes and produces a greatly relieved effect, at a very moderate cost'.
Writer then proceeded to add that Potts had secured a second patent regarding such works and in so doing had protected the moulding of sculptural designs on material bearing a high polish, and so closely resembling statuary marble as to allow of the production of fine works of Art at so diminished a price, that it will place them within the reaches of the middle class generally; he thus hopes to aid in popularising high Art by bringing it to bear on works imbued with religious sentiment for the mass of the public. We have no space here to comment upon the designs here introduced (which are modelled by Mr Jefferson of Lambeth) except to say that the first of the larger monuments, representing 'Filial Life', is erected to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. W. Churton, of Whitechurch, Shropshire; The military monument is to the memory of a deceased officer...the others represent 'Grief Lamenting the Extinguished Lamp of Life' and 'Grief supported by Resignation'. These works are of exceeding merit. See p. 19.
Products & Services
Candelabra, clocks, gas chandeliers in bronze
Sepulchral monuments in bronze
Locations
Address 16 Easy Row Birmingham | View on map
1851 (Circa)
Business located at Birmingham | View on map
Bronze works
Exhibitions, Courses, Meetings and other Events
Exhibited at Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations (London), 1851
1851
Exhibits included: ornamental gas brackets; chandeliers; lobby lamps; candelabra; girandoles; ink and flower stands; single and triple figure epergne; bronze fire screens; clock stands etc.. In addition 'specimens of Potts Patent picture-supporting moulding'
Exhibited at The Exhibition of Art-Industry in Dublin, 1853
pp. 18-19, illustrated
Associated People
Commissioned Robert Jefferson
1853 (Circa)
'Filial Gratitude' exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1854 (cat. no. 1854) 'executed for William Potts, Bronze Monumental Works, Birmingham and mentioned as one of the 'Patented Sepulchral Monuments' exhibited in Dublin in 1853
May be connected to W. Potts
Descriptions of Business or Institution
Listed in Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, 1851
Official Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue
'Manufacturer, and, in part, Designer'
Sources
Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, 1851
Official Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue
1851
Volume 2, cat. no. 323, pp. 630-1
Illustrated Catalogue of the Exhibition of Art Industry in Dublin, 1853.
1853
pp. 18-19.
Citing this record
'William Potts', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib3_1214998661, accessed 26 May 2020]
