The family of the artist is offering this bronze cast of the well-known portrait bust of T E Lawrence (other casts are in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral, the collection of the Tate Gallery and at Jesus and Magdalen Colleges, Oxford).
Lawrence described this bust as “Magnificent; there is no other word for it. It represents not me but my top moments, those few seconds when I succeed in thinking myself right out of things.”
The present cast was owned by Chris Kennington, the son of the artist. It appears likely, based on notes made by Chris Kennington in 2009, that this is number 6 of an edition cast in the 1960s.
Offer for Sale – This bust is being offered in the first instance to members of the T E Lawrence Society, on the basis of non-binding sealed bids, which are anticipated to be in the range of £30,000 to £40,000.
Bids should be sent either by post to Alasdair Kennington, 6 Rothamsted Avenue, Harpenden, AL5 2DB; or by email to [email protected] to arrive no later than the end of Monday 5 October 2020.
Bids should state the amount offered, contact details of the person making the offer, and any other information that is considered relevant including any collection or delivery requirements. Bids are non-binding and the sellers do not undertake to accept the highest bid or to accept any bid. The cast is currently in Devon, but it is anticipated (COVID-19 precautions permitting) that it will be stored in Oxfordshire by 5 October. Collection/delivery will be dependent on the pandemic precautions in force at the time.