David Davis
Other names: Davies
Born 26 June 1837
Died 26 April 1921
Active: 1858 - 1914
Country of birth and death: Wales
Sculptor, plasterer
Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire. The family surname is spelt both 'Davis' and 'Davies' across different documentary sources making identification difficult. However, it seems he was the son of Moses Davis or Davies (c.1799-1866). Moses was a master plasterer who is said to have travelled in England and Wales after completing his apprenticeship. By 1841 he was based in Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil and in 1851 was employing one man and one apprentice in 1851. (See Census Returns of 1851 RG number: HO107 Piece: 2458 Folio: 297 Page: 8)
David's brother seems to have been the sculptor William Davis (also given as Davies). This connection is based on the Census Returns of 1841 and 1861 which places them both at the same addresses. An unpublished family history states David assisted William with a number of casts whilst in his teens and then worked for his brother on St. James's Palace and at Kew between c.1858-65. David appears to have trained as a plasterer with his father and so would have been an able assistant to his brother (see Census Returns of 1851).
David entered the Royal Academy Schools c.1860 and won a Silver Medal in November 1861. He established a practice primarily as a sculptor of portrait statuettes and busts. According to the unpublished family history David and William visited Italy in 1891. Both brothers exhibited in Wales and David joined the Swansea Art Society, however he appears to have been based in London for most of his career.
Works
Dates are usually the year a work was exhibited so may differ from date of production.
New entries have been made each time a work was exhibited. Click here for more information.
Portrait of a Lady
1880 (Presumed)
Moses Davies
1880 (Presumed)
Alexander
1880 (Presumed)
Elaine
1884 (Presumed)
Bracket
1899 (Presumed)
Bust (from life)
1899 (Presumed)
The Late Lord Swansea
1899 (Presumed)
Bust
1899 (Presumed)
Design for Frieze
1899 (Presumed)
Prize Modelling
1899 (Presumed)
Locations
Address 208 Euston Road London | View on map
1858 - 1865
Address 10 Garden Villas London NW | View on map
1867 (Circa)
Address 57 Mansfield Road London NW | View on map
1871 (Circa) - 1879 (Circa)
In 1871 at number 66
Address 16 Mansfield Road London NW | View on map
1881 (Circa) - 1887 (Circa)
Address 33 Mansel Street Swansea | View on map
1895 (Circa)
This could also have been Llanelli or even Camarthen, the address was incomplete
Address Sidney Street Brynhyfryd Swansea | View on map
1899
Address 14 Carlingford Road Hampstead London | View on map
1901 (Circa)
Exhibitions, Meetings, Awards and other Events
Exhibited at The Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts (Summer Exhibition), 1768-
1863 - 1887
Exhibited 9 times, thirteen works in all (chiefly busts but also a portrait statuette and a portrait medallion, ideal works shown in 1864 and 1865)
Exhibited at Art Exhibition opened at the Drill Hall, Merthyr Tydfil, 1880
27 May 1880 - 1880
Exhibited at The Fine Art Exhibition to Aid the Establishing of the Royal Cambrian Academy, 1884
1884
Exhibited at Swansea Art Society Thirteenth Annual Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings, Sculpture, Photographs, Wood Carving, Art Needlework, Etc., 1899
20 May 1899 - 19 June 1899
Institutional and Business Connections
Member of Swansea Art Society
1894 - 1899
Not listed as a member in 1897
Studied at Royal Academy Schools
1860 (Presumed)
Awarded the silver medal for the best model from the antique: see the Royal Academy 'Annual Report', (1862), p. 20.
Personal and Professional Connections
Brother/sibling of William Mynorydd Davis
Based on Census Returns of 1861 which places them both at 208 Euston Road. The surnames of the two brothers are spelt differently but sources (for example, Graves, the census returns, Royal Academy exhibition catalogues) give both Davis and Davies interchangeably
Employee of Alexander Munro
1860
Descriptions of Practice
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
'Marble Carver' also his brother William (born c.1828 in Merthyr Tydfil) 'Marble Carver'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
'Sculptor Assist[an]t'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
'Sculptor'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851
'Plasterer with father' who is Moses (born c.1800) 'Plasterer Master employing 1 Man and 1 App[rentice]' if source is correct (see source notes)
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901
'Sculptor' no employment details given
Sources
'Family Notes' by David Davies
A Catalogue of the Fine Art Exhibition to aid the Establishing of the Royal Cambrian Academy
1884
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851
2005
HO107 piece 2458 folio 297 page 8. This appears to be David Davis, the sculptor, living with his parents Moses (born c.1800) and mother Elizabeth (born c.1808) in Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil. However, David's age is given as '43' (therefore born c.1808) which is an error by the enumerator, as it makes him the same age as his mother and only eight years younger than his father. The sculptor would, in fact, have been c.14 years old in 1851.
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
2005
RG09 piece 111 folio 25 page 26 (surname given as Davis)
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
2004
RG10 piece 246 folio 24 page 42 (surname given as Davis)
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
2004
RG11 piece 219 folio 90 page 20 (surname given as Davis)
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901
2005
RG13 piece 121 folio 111 page 43 (surname given as Davies)
Official Catalogue, Art Exhibition opened at the Drill Hall, Merthyr Tydfil
1880
Swansea Art Society Catalogue of the Thirteenth Annual Exhibition
1899
Swansea Sketching Club and Art Society Catalogue of the Ninth Annual Exhibition
1894
The Royal Academy of Arts: a complete dictionary of contributors and their work from its foundation in 1769 to 1904. Vol. 2: Carroll to Dyer
1905
p. 259 (surname given as Davis)
Citing this record
'David Davis', 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/person.php?id=msib1_1202312023, accessed 04 Oct 2023]
