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A small figure of 'Silence' or Angerona, pseudo antique, 16th century
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Figure of 'Silence' or Angerona. SM A36. ©Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Photo: Lewis Bush
A small figure of 'Silence' or Angerona, pseudo antique, 16th century
Bronze, on a plaster stand
Museum number: A36
On display: Lobby to the Breakfast Room
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Soane purchased this figure from the sale of the effects of John McGowan (or McGouan) a Scottish lawyer and antiquary: Catalogue of the Extensive Cabinet of Medals, Coins, Gems, Antiquities, and Books on the Fine Arts. Collected at a Liberal Expence, by John McGouan, Esq. F.R.S. Edin. Deceased. T. Philipe, Warwick Street, Golden Square, London, 8-15 February 1804 [Biblioteque Nationale, Paris, available online via Gallicia website, seems to be the auctioneers copy with neatly entered buyers details; another copy is at the Cadbury Research Library, University of Birmingham]. The BNP copy records Soane's purchase for £1.6.0, on the seventh day in the Bronzes section, of lot 187, "Isis, or perhaps the Goddess of Silence, draped, very fine, 6¼ inches", which must be this figure.
We are grateful to Tim Teuten for sharing this provenance information with us 2021.
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk