English, first quarter 19th century

on later socle

Clearly based on Scheemaker's Monument to Shakespeare in Westminster Abbey (see lot 223, p.92), the present bust also depends to some extent on Rysbrack's earlier historical bust amongst the Worthies at Stowe. The closest match, however, is a very similar bust in the Royal Library, Windsor castle. While the identity of the sculptor of the present bust remains a mystery, the name of Christopher Prosperi has been proposed in view of his having exhibited a bust of Shakespeare at the Royal Academy in 1815.