A bronze statuette by the illustrious Welsh sculptor Sir William Goscombe John  R.A. (1860-1952) of Saint George was recently discovered by Intaglio.

This remarkable find was a fine example of the New Sculpture movement and was subsequently acquired by the National Museum of Wales Cardiff for their collection.

The figure was originally cast in bronze as an element in the marble monument to the 15th Marquess of Winchester (1858-1899) who was killed in the Boer War. The monument was exhibited by the sculptor at the Royal Academy in 1905 but the Cardiff Museum were uncertain whether the plaster version of the statue in their collection was indeed St George or perhaps just a crusader knight, but this discovery finally settled the issue.

Saint George is shown standing; his right arm raised supporting the English Standard, his left arm resting on his shield. The statuette, 49.5 cm in height is raised on an inscribed green antico marble base and is signed in the bronze by the sculptor. The statuette’s surface is finished in an original dark brown patina with traces of parcel gilding. The inscription which is gilded in the marble reads:

“Presented to H.R.H The Prince George K.G.,  G.C.V.O. by The National Museum of Wales on the Occasion of his Opening the East Wing of the Museum October. 25.1932”

As the East Wing of the Museum has recently been refurbished the reappearance of the statuette is most opportune and is a remarkable memento of a key date in the history of the National Museum of Wales.