Charles John Allen
Born 1862
Died 10 January 1956
Active: 1894 - 1936
Country of birth and death: England
Sculptor, wood carver, medallist, teacher
Born in Greenford, Middlesex. Apprenticed to Farmer and Brindley c.1879, he worked for the company for approximately eleven years. He studied first at the Lambeth School of Art and then at the Royal Academy Schools (from 1887). In 1894 he was appointed a Lecturer in Sculpture and Modelling at Liverpool School of Architecture and Applied Arts. He remained at the school (it became Liverpool School of Art in 1905) until his retirement in 1927. During his years in Liverpool Allen executed many important commissions in the city including an architectural scheme for the Royal Insurance Company Building (1896-1902) and a monument to Queen Victoria (1902-6). Allen's wife died soon after his retirement from teaching and thereafter he lived with his sister in Farley Green, Albury, Surrey. He died there in 1956.
Wealth at death: £1,432 6s. 8d.
Probate date: 2 March 1956
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.
Medal to Commemorate the 700th Anniversary of the Foundation of Liverpool
Medal commemorating the 700th Anniversary of the Foundation of Liverpool
1907
A Dream of Love
1895
A Dream of Love
1895
Love and the Mermaid
1901
Study of a Head
1901
A Dream of Love
1901
Love and the Mermaid
1901 (Presumed)
Aurore
1902 (Presumed)
Rescued
1905 (Presumed)
Fame
1907
Helen Mary Fletcher
1909 (Presumed)
The woman thou gavest me
1917 (Circa)
Locations
Address University College Liverpool England | View on map
1901 (Presumed)
Address 7 Miranda Road Islington London England | View on map
1881 (Circa)
Address 14 St. John's Villas Islington London England | View on map
1891 (Circa)
Address 21 Cambridge Street Abercromby Square Liverpool England | View on map
1909 (Presumed) - 1930
Address given in annual reports of the Art Workers' Guild.
Address Yew Tree Cottage Farley Green Guildford England | View on map
1928 - 1956
Born at Greenford England | View on map
1862
Exhibitions, Meetings, Awards and other Events
Exhibited at The Thirty-sixth Spring Exhibition at the Rooms of the Society, New Street (Royal Birmingham Society of Artists), 1901
'Love and the Mermaid'
Exhibited at The Seventy-Sixth Autumn Exhibition at the Rooms of the Society, New Street (Royal Birmingham Society of Artists), 1902
Multiple works
Exhibited at The Fortieth Spring Exhibition at the Rooms of the Society, New Street (Royal Birmingham Society of Artists), 1905
'Rescued'
Exhibited at The Eighty-Third Autumn Exhibition at the Rooms of the Society, New Street (Royal Birmingham Society of Artists), 1909-1910
'Helen Mary Fletcher'
Exhibited at Leeds City Art Gallery, The Spring Exhibition, 1897
'A Dream of Love'
Exhibited at Leeds City Art Gallery, The Spring Exhibition, 1908
Multiple works
Exhibited at The Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, The Ninety-First, 1917
'The woman thou gavest me'
Exhibited at Forty-Sixth Exhibition of Works of Modern Artists, The Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 1907
'Fame'
Exhibited at The Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts (Summer Exhibition), 1768-
1890 - 1922
Exhibited 20 times (usually 1 work per show).
Exhibited at Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-fourth (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), 1894
1894
Design for a Door Knocker - Fortuna (cat. no. 1313, not for sale).
Exhibited at Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-fifth (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), 1895
1895
Prof. J. M. Mackay (cat. no. 1249, sketch portrait, not for sale); Dr Rendall, Principal, University College (cat. no. 1250, not for sale); Love and the Mermaid (cat. no. 1268, group, not for sale); Perseus Victorious (cat. no. 1271, bronze, £550); A Dream of Love (cat. no. 1324, group in bronze, £52 10s.).
Exhibited at Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-sixth (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), 1896
1896
Love and the Mermaid (cat. no. 1176, bronze group, not for sale); The late P. H. Rathbone, Esq., JP, Chairman of the Arts Committee (cat. no. 1193, plaster bust, illustrated on p. 121, not for sale); A Dream of Love (cat. no. 1896, bronze group, £50).
Exhibited at Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-seventh (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), 1897
1897
The late Philip H. Rathbone, Esq. (cat. no. 1276, bronze bust, £100).
Exhibited at Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-eighth (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), 1898
1898
Rescued (cat. no. 1460, plaster group, not for sale); Samuel Rathbone, Esq. (cat. no. 1475, modelled chielfy from a photograph taken in 1873, plaster bust, not for sale).
Exhibited at Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-ninth (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), 1899
1899
Love and the Mermaid (cat. no. 1406, bronze group, not for sale); Model for William Rathbone Medal for Engineering, University College, Liverpool (cat. no. 1432, plaster, not for sale).
Exhibited at International Exhibition, Glasgow, 1901
1901
Exhibited at Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the thirty-first (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), 1901
1901
Dr Oliver Lodge, FRS. First Principal of the University of Birmingham (cat. no. 1530, marble bust, not for sale); William Rathbone, Esq. (cat. no. 1548, bronze bust, not for sale); Mrs Dowdall (cat. no. 1622, plaster bust, not for sale).
Exhibited at Autumn exhibition of pictures & sculpture: the thirty-second (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), 1902
1902
Model of the Queen Victoria Memorial for Liverpool (cat. no. 1408, not for sale).
Institutional and Business Connections
Apprenticed to Farmer and Brindley
1879 (Circa) - 1890 (Circa)
After his apprenticeship ended, Allen continued to work for Farmer and Brindley
Fellow of Royal Society of British Sculptors
1923 - 1956
Died in 1956.
Managed donation to Royal Society of British Sculptors
5 November 1906
Allen had administered an anonymous donation of £10.10.0 towards the Society's proposed sculpture exhibition. When it was decided that the exhibition was to be abandoned in favour of the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908, the monies were returned with thanks to the donors [5 November 1906, Royal Society of British Sculptors: Minutes of Council Meetings, Vol.I]
Member of Art Workers Guild
May 1894 - 1936
Retired from Guild in 1936.
Member of Royal Society of British Sculptors
1904 - 1956 (Presumed)
Member of The Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society
1932 (Presumed)
Studied at Royal Academy Schools
1887 (Presumed) - 1891 (Presumed)
In 1887, Allen won a second prize silver medal for a model of a statue or group. See Royal Academy, 'Annual Report, 1887', (1888), p. 32. He also won a second prize silver medal for a model of a figure from the life, in 1888. See 'Annual Report, 1888', (1889), p. 30. In 1889 Allen was awarded a second prize of £20, for a set of three models of a figure from the life. See 'Annual Report, 1889', (1890), p. 36. The following year he won a £30 first prize for a model of a design, and a £50 first prize and a silver medal for a set of three models of a figure from the life.
Teacher of modeling at School of Architecture and Applied Art (Art Sheds), Liverpool
1894 - 1905
In 1905 Allen transferred to the School of Art where he worked till his retirement in 1927
Teacher of modeling at Liverpool School of Art
1905 - 1927
He was also Vice-Principal of the College
Worked for Farmer and Brindley
1879 (Circa) - 1890 (Circa)
Allen executed carvings in marble on the reredos of St Paul's Cathedral; in wood for Eaton hall; St Alban's Abbey; and the White Star steamships
Personal and Professional Connections
Assistant to William Hamo Thornycroft
1890 (Circa) - 1894
After leaving the Royal Academy Schools Allen was employed by Thornycroft. He assisted Thornycroft on the statues of John Bright for Rochdale (1891) and Queen Victoria for the Royal Exchange (1893-5) [See M. Clough Ed. 'C.J. Allen 1862-1956: Sculptor and Teacher' pp. 16-7]
Collaborated with Thomas Stirling Lee
1898 - 1901
On the 'National Prosperity' reliefs for St George's Hall, Liverpool. Lee was supervisor for the project and set the overall theme. Allen created two of the six panels.
Nominator of Gertrude Alice Meredith Williams
1928 (Presumed)
For membership of the Royal Society of British Sculptors
Descriptions of Practice
Listed as medallist Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume I, 1902 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
Listed as a contemporary medallist. Exhibited three medals at the Royal Academy Exhibition, London, in 1900 including two for the University College, Liverpool. See Forrer, vol. 1 (supplement), (1902), p. 511.
Listed as medallist Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume VII, 1923 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
pp. 12-13.
Listed as medallist Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume VIII, 1930 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
Forrer notes that Allen exhibited a medal at the Royal Academy, London, in 1918. See vol. 8, (1930), p. 308.
Listed in Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume VII, 1923 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
Listed as a sculptor and medallist. Studied at Lambeth School of Art, at the Royal Academy School, London, and under Hamo Thorycroft. Allen was 'instructor in Sculpture and Vice-Principal of Liverpool City School of Art since 1894.' He exhibited at the Royal Academy, London, from 1894 onwards. Forrer lists a number of Allen's medallic works and sculptures. See Forrer, vol. 7, (1923), pp. 12-13.
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
'Woodcarver'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891
'Sculptor' and an employer
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
'Sculptor and Instructor in Sculpture at School of Art'
Sources
Art Workers Guild Annual Reports, 1885-1900
1894, p.6.
Art Workers Guild Annual Reports, 1913-1933
1913, p.37; 1914, p.29; 1915, p.44; 1916, p.36; 1917, p.29, 1919, p.3; 1920, p.11; 1921, p.18; 1922, p.24; 1923, p.24; 1924, p.24; 1925, p.23; 1926, p.23; 1927, p.23; 1928, p.23; 1929, p.23; 1930, p.25; 1931, p.25;
Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society: List of Members, September 1932
September 1932
Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the thirty-first, 1901 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
1901
p. 45-6 and p. 48
Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-eighth, 1898 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
1898
pp. 45-48.
Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-fifth, 1895 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
1895
pp. 47-50.
Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-fourth, 1894 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
1894
pp. 49-52.
Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-ninth, 1899 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
1899
pp. 48-52.
Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-seventh, 1897 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
1897
pp. 44-47.
Autumn exhibition of modern pictures in oil and water-colours: the twenty-sixth, 1896 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
1896
pp. 45-48.
Autumn exhibition of pictures & sculpture: the thirty-second, 1902 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
1902
pp. 42-47.
C.J. Allen 1862-1956: Sculptor and Teacher
2003
Catalogue of the Spring Exhibition, The City Art Gallery, Leeds 1897
1897
Cat. No. 832, pp. 78, 89
Catalogue of the Spring Exhibition, The City Art Gallery, Leeds 1908
1908
Cat. Nos. 368, 759, pp. 34, 61, 71
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
2004
Class: RG11; Piece: 257; Folio: 54; Page: 24
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891
2004
Class: RG12; Piece: 142; Folio 150; Page 49
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
2011
RG14PN22186 RG78PN1313 RD453 SD3 ED12 SN31
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
2010
Name: Charles John Allen
Probate Date: 2 Mar 1956
Death Date: 10 Jan 1956
Death Place: Surrey, England
Registry: Liverpool, England
International Exhibition Glasgow, 1901,
Official Catalogue of the Fine Art Section
1901
List of Members: Royal Society of British Sculptors
2008
Royal Society of British Sculptors. Minutes of Council Meetings No. 1, 1905-1913
19 May 1913
10 January 1905; 5 November 1906.
Sculpture of To-day: America, Great Britain and Japan, vol. 1
1921
pp. 95 and 108
The fifty-first annual report of the committee of the Art-Workers' Guild, 1935
1935
p.29.
Citing this record
'Charles John Allen', 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=msib2_1206480117, accessed 27 Sep 2023]