Hubert Le Sueur

This extraordinary and rare gilt bronze figural term once adorned a grand chimneypiece as one of a pair of figural jambs within a royal or noble domestic setting. The figure’s pensive gaze, with his hand clutching his beard, suggests that he was intended to represent an ancient philosopher, most likely Plato. Recent technical analysis and stylistic comparisons of examples found in England indicate this bronze was cast in London by the French émigré and Royal Sculptor to King Charles I, Hubert Le Sueur. The bronze was previously owned by Francis Edward Stonor (1900-1968), the cousin of Lord Camoys of Stonor Park, who amassed an important art collection, including many Renaissance and Baroque bronzes, during the decades that followed the Second World War. Stonor was the owner of the tea emporium Jacksons of Piccadilly, and his personal wealth allowed him to indulge his passion for art. Starting in the 1940s, he acquired furniture, paintings and silvergilt - mainly of the 18th century - which he housed in his flat in St John's Wood, north London. It was during this time that the bronze was reputedly acquired from the collection of the Dukes of Richmond and Lennox, whom coincidentally themselves are directly descended from King Charles II via his French mistress, Louise de Kerouaille. At his death, Stonor had no direct
heirs, and the bulk of the collection, including the bronze term, was left to his cousin, the 7th Baron Camoys, and subsequently moved to Stonor Park. The term was sold by Lord Camoys at Christie’s, London, in 1987 whereby it was purchased by Daniel Katz. The precise origin of this remarkable bronze remains unknown; however, its evident age, quality and illustrious pedigree suggest it was worthy of a most prestigious setting in England in the opening decades of the 17th century.