Thursday, 01 June 2006

PRESS RELEASE

A newly carved figure of Sir Robert Peel in wood by Andrew Mather.

Andrew Mather, the Fazeley based wood sculptor, has recently delivered to the Peel Collection, on loan, a newly carved figure of Sir Robert Peel.  This master craftsman has taken his image of Sir Robert from a drawing in the National Portrait Gallery by Sir Francis Chantry R.A. (1781-1841).

Chantry was a leading sculptor in the 19th century and carved a bust of Peel in 1835 on the orders of the King William IV.  Peel was Prime Minister for the first time for 100 days in 1835.  The image may not be familiar to us but is probably an excellent likeness of Peel at the age of 47.  Most of the other images of Peel date from 10 years earlier or ten years later.  The bust is still in the Royal Collection.

The wood sculpture by Andrew Mather can be seen in the Peel Collection at Middleton Hall on any Sunday in the summer.  Copies of the head of the sculpture will be available for purchase to order.  Andrew is well known locally for his excellent work and the statue showing Peel in a typical pose with a bench of the House of Commons behind him is an outstanding instance of his skill.

There are two excellent examples of Chantry's work in Lichfield Cathedral.  The most famous is a memorial to two teenage daughters called "The Sleeping Children", which is his best known work.  Also, there is a statue of Bishop Ryder.

Andrew Mather trades under the name of Creative Carvings.

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