Charles John Allen

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.

A Dream of Love

Victory

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

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Address University College Liverpool | View on map
1901 (Presumed)

Address 7 Miranda Road Islington London | View on map
1881 (Circa)

Address 14 St. John's Villas Islington London | View on map
1891 (Circa)

Address 21 Cambridge Street Abercromby Square Liverpool | View on map
1909 (Presumed) - 1930
Address given in annual reports of the Art Workers' Guild.

Address Yew Tree Cottage Farley Green Guildford | View on map
1928 - 1956

Born at Greenford | 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

Annual Report from the Council of The Royal Academy to the General Assembly of Academicians for the Year 1887, 1888 Royal Academy Annual Reports
1888
p. 32.

Annual Report from the Council of The Royal Academy to the General Assembly of Academicians for the Year 1888, 1889 Royal Academy Annual Reports
1889
p. 30.

Annual Report from the Council of The Royal Academy to the General Assembly of Academicians for the Year 1889, 1890 Royal Academy Annual Reports
1890
p. 36.

Annual Report from the Council of The Royal Academy to the General Assembly of Academicians for the Year 1890, 1891 Royal Academy Annual Reports
1891
p. 29.

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.

Beauty's Awakening: The Centenary Exhibition of the Art Workers Guild (Royal Pavilion, Art Gallery and Museum, Brighton), 1984
1984
p.50.

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
1902
p. 511.

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
1923
pp. 12-13.

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
1930
p. 308.

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
2009
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 Academy Exhibitors 1905-70: A Dictionary of Artists and their Work in the Summer Exhibitions of the Royal Academy of Arts, Vol. I A-Car
1973
p. 23

Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. The Fortieth Spring Exhibition at the Rooms of the Society, New Street, 1905 Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
1905
p. 58.

Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. The Thirty-Sixth Spring Exhibition at the Rooms of the Society, New Street, 1901
1901
p. 63.

Royal Society of British Sculptors. Annual Report of Council and Accounts For the Year ending 31 December 1923. To be Presented at the Twentieth Ordinary General Meeting, 1924
1924
pp. 7-8.

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.

The Royal Academy of Arts: a complete dictionary of contributors and their work from its foundation in 1769 to 1904. Vol. 1: Abbayne to Carrington
1905
p. 24

The Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 1861-1989. Volume 1, A-D. A Dictionary of Exhibitors at the Annual Exhibitions of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 1990 The Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 1861-1989
1990
p. 50

The Royal Scottish Academy Exhibitors 1826-1990: A dictionary of artists and their work in the Annual Exhibitions of the Royal Scottish Academy. Volume 1, A-D
1991
p.40