A Victorian carved limewood heron, circa 1853

by Thomas Wilkinson Wallis of Louth, Lincolnshire, carved from a single section of limewood, the beak carved with a small snail, with outstretched wings, bullrushes and ivy at its feet, now mounted onto a later backboard

Commissioned by Henry Lygon, 4th Earl Beauchamp, Madresfield Court, Malvern, Worcestershire, and thence by family descent.

The present carving would appear to have been originally part of a larger composition. There are many losses to the tips of both wings and to the feathers on the neck. The stems of the leaves are rather broken and several leaves are completely loose without in some cases there being any stalks. There are some breaks to stems. For further information on this Lot, please contact the English Furniture Department on 00 44 (0) 207 293-5470.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Thomas Wilkinson Wallis, of Louth Lincolnshire, (1821-1903) was apprenticed to Mr Thomas Ward, Carver & Gilder in Waterworks Street for seven years. Whilst in this employment, he worked nearby in Burton Constable Hall, and carved the `Dragon Chair', to Lady Constable`s designs.

Once qualified, he took over the business of John Brown in Louth in 1844. He married Susannah Crow of Louth and from 1851 until his death in 1903, lived in Gospelgate.

He frequently worked in the style of Grinling Gibbons. When carving dead game he is known to have made a model in clay of the subject to work from. Such a model of the present lot is currently in the collection of the Louth Museum. His work as a carver was greatly admired and he won medals at the Great Exhibitions in 1851 and 1862 as well as the Paris Exhibition in 1855. His trademark  was a small snail which can be seen on the beak of the present lot.

Other examples of his remarkable work may be seen in St. James`s Church and Louth Town Hall, the Louth Museum, the Usher Gallery in Lincoln and Hereford Art Gallery.