Ending 13th Oct, 2025 19:00

Open House

 
  Lot 251
 

251

Sir John Robert Steell RSA (1804-1891)

a portrait bust of a young man, probably John David Inglis (1843-1861), carved marble, signed verso 'Jn. Steell R.S.A. Sculpt. Edinr.' and dated '1862',
40cm wide
25cm deep
62cm high

Provenance: Lady Geraldine Inglis of Glencorse;
thence by descent.

Carved in 1862, this sensitively modelled marble bust by Sir John Steell likely depicts John David Inglis (1843-1861), the grandson of Reverend John Inglis and first-born son of the Rt Hon. Sir John Inglis, Lord Glencorse. Created the year after the young man’s death at the age of 18, the work carries a quiet poignancy. Though classical in treatment - following Steell’s characteristic use of smooth surfaces and restrained drapery - the bust conveys a youthful delicacy and introspection. Signed ‘Jn. Steell R.S.A. Sculpt. Edinr.’, it reflects both the sculptor’s technical refinement and his ability to capture a sitter’s individuality within an idealised form.

Take advantage of our Sworders Delivery Service. Please see 'Shipping estimate' below.

Sold for £1,050


Condition Report

The bust has small areas of dirt, paint flecks, residue and marks throughout. Old chips to robes. Socle appears to be contemporary. Sits level on a flat surface.

 

Browse an Auction & Create Your Account

When you’d like to place a bid, simply click the Bid Online button — this will take you to our timed auction bidding site.

If you’re new to Sworders, you’ll need to create an online account. Once you’ve registered and added your card details, your account will be approved and ready for bidding in both timed auctions and live sales via SwordersLive.


Sign In & Start Bidding

Please note that commission (absentee) bids cannot be placed by Sworders staff on your behalf in timed auctions.

You can increase your bid at any time during the auction. If another bidder outbids you, you’ll receive an email notification so you can respond quickly.

If a new bid is placed in the final 5 minutes before closing, that lot’s end time automatically extends by another 5 minutes.

If you can’t bid as the lot ends, simply enter your maximum bid — Sworders will bid automatically on your behalf up to that amount.

To view or manage your current bids, visit timed.sworder.co.uk.


Need Help?

If you have any questions, we’re here to help:
E auctions@sworder.co.uk 
T 01279 817778 (Monday – Friday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Auction: Open House, ending 13th Oct, 2025

We are excited to introduce Open House, our new weekly timed sales, giving our Homes & Interiors sales a fresh new format. Designed to be more accessible and frequent, with the chance to view items in person before you bid, each week offers a curated selection of unique furniture, statement décor, and timeless design pieces - always something new to discover. 

Viewing

Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:

Thursday 9 October, 10am - 3pm 

Friday 10 October, 10am - 3pm 

Monday 13 October, 10am - 3pm

View all lots in this sale

Please note that this item is not suitable for a pre-sale automated shipping estimate due to the items weight/size. 

The below table shows indicative shipping costs for larger items being delivered within the UK mainland. Please note that all the below costs are purely for indicative purposes and are to be used as a guideline only. If you purchase multiple large items, we will combine deliveries to reduce the shipping costs. 

Should you be successful in buying this item, a specific shipping estimate will need to be requested after the sale using the link in your invoice email; this also includes all requests for international delivery.

If you would like further information about shipping and collection please see here.

 

Buying a pre-loved, antique, or vintage item not only provides you with unique style and value for money but it also helps to reduce landfill, and the annual emissions of an antique or vintage piece can be as little as one sixteenth of those of its new equivalent!

Sworders is proud to be supporting the work of Antiques are Green - the movement that was founded in 2009 to promote “a greener future created from the past”. Read their fascinating carbon footprint study of a Georgian chest of drawers versus a modern equivalent here

 

Antiques are Green

 

Request A Valuation

Here at Sworders, we are happy to offer a free online valuation service. Please fill out the form and press the 'Submit' button below.

To help us with your valuation please attach clear photographs of the item where possible. You can submit up to 5.

Approximate dimensions are also useful. Expect to hear from the appropriate valuer as soon as possible.

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.