Plaster bust, Greek woman with hairband

Made:
1790-1819
1 Plaster bust, Greek woman, hair in cap, with band round head

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1 Plaster bust, Greek woman, hair in cap, with band round head
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

1 Plaster bust, Greek woman, hair in cap, with band round head, curls at side of face, prepared for copying by addition of base and brass centre in head, 5 1/4" high

This item is part of the sculpture collection built by Scottish engineer James Watt, and which was kept for a long time in his garret workshop at his home, Heathfield, in Handsworth, Birmingham. The two most prominent objects in the workshop are a pair of sculpture copying machines dating to 1804-1809, one for producing reduced-sized and the other for equal-size copies. Building and using them was the main project that Watt undertook in the workshop. However, they built on his interest in sculpture which stretched back into the 1790s. Watt purchased items and then multiplied them in the workshop, making copies with his machines in different materials. The project was a fitting end to Watt’s career, continuing his interest in precision manufacture and multiplying images of himself, his associates and many other subjects in a way which is a microcosm of the larger changes in industry which were sweeping large parts of the UK.

Details

Category:
James Watt's Garret Workshop
Object Number:
1926-1075/342
Materials:
plaster
type:
portrait bust and cast
credit:
Major J.M. Gibson-Watt