SOLD
 
A carved marble head of the Duke of Wellington, attributed to Peter Turnerelli (1774–1839).
 
In 1815 the Prince Regent commissioned Turnerelli to create a bust of Wellington as part of his collection of military heroes for Carlton House. The same bust was subsequently commissioned by many other country house owners during the 1820s.
 
This marble carving for sale is alas only the 'head' of Wellington, and therefore bears no signature, but the quality of the carving is undoubtedly evident, and most certainly from Turnerelli's studio. Based on the damage to the surviving head, particularly to the nose and eyebrows area, the original bust must have had a tragic accident...