Albert Toft

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Albert Toft
Albert Toft by George Clausen
Born(1862-06-03)3 June 1862
Handsworth, Staffordshire, England
Died18 December 1949(1949-12-18) (aged 87)
Worthing, Sussex, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materSouth Kensington Schools
OccupationSculptor

Albert Toft (3 June 1862 – 18 December 1949)[1] was a British sculptor.[2]

Toft's career was dominated by public commemorative commissions in bronze, mostly single statues of military or royal figures. The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897, Boer War to 1902, and then World War I to 1918, provided plentiful commissions. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography describes Toft as one of the major figures of the "New Sculpture" movement following on from William Hamo Thornycroft and George Frampton. Toft described his work as 'Idealist' but he also said of himself that "to become an idealist you must necessarily first be a realist."

His father was a notable modeller in ceramics, and his brother was the landscape artist Joseph Alfonso Toft.

Biography[edit]

Toft was born in Handsworth, then in Staffordshire, and now a suburb of Birmingham. His parents were Charles Toft (1832–1909) and Rosanna Reeves. His father was a senior modeller at Mintons, and then the chief modeller at Wedgwood pottery. He had also taught modelling at Birmingham School of Art for some years to 1873.[3]

Toft trained at Wedgwood, and attended art schools in Hanley, Staffordshire and Newcastle upon Tyne. In 1881 he won a scholarship to study sculpture at the South Kensington Schools under Professor Édouard Lantéri.[4] He received silver medals in his second and third years.

From 1885 onwards Toft exhibited at the Royal Academy and some of his most notable works exhibited at the Royal Academy included Fate-Led (1890, now at Walker Art Gallery), The Sere and Yellow Leaf (1892), Spring (1897, now at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery), The Spirit of Contemplation (1901; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle) and The Metal Pourer (1915). In 1915 his sculpture The Bather was purchased using the Royal Academy's Chantrey Fund. His 1888 bust of William Ewart Gladstone for the National Liberal Club was modelled from life and acclaimed as one of the best. In 1900 Toft received a bronze medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris.

He created monuments to Queen Victoria for Leamington Spa, Nottingham, and South Shields, and to Edward VII in Birmingham and Warwick. He designed the coronation medal of George V and Queen Mary (1911) and a statuette of W. S. Penley playing Charley's Aunt for Royal Doulton (1913). He also published a book, Modelling and Sculpture in 1911, which was reprinted in 1949.

He made a series of war memorials, starting with the South African War Memorial in Cardiff (1910), and then many after the First World War, including the Royal Fusiliers War Memorial in London (1922), and four statues for the Birmingham Hall of Memory (1923–24).

In 1891 Toft was elected to the Art Workers Guild and in 1938 he was elected a fellow to the Royal Society of British Sculptors.[5]

He died in Worthing.

Public monuments and memorials[edit]

Image Title / subject Location and
coordinates 		Date Type Material Dimensions Designation Wikidata Notes
George Wallis National Art Library, Victoria and Albert Museum 1889 Bust Terracotta 61.5cm high [6][7]
Major Jonathen White Nottingham Castle 1891 Bust on pedestal Bronze and granite Major White (1804–1889) served in the Robin Hood Rifles.[8][9][10]

More images 		Henry Richard Tregaron, Ceredigion 1893 Statue on pedestal Bronze and granite 5.5m high Grade II Q29495968 [10][11]

More images 		Philip James Bailey Nottingham Castle 1901 Bust and panel Bronze [8][9][10]

More images 		Queen Victoria Town Hall, Royal Leamington Spa 1901 Statue on pedestal Sicilian marble and Aberdeen granite 3 metres high statue on a 4 metres high pedestal Grade II Q26661547 [12]

More images 		The Spirit of Contemplation Laing Art Gallery 1901 Statue Bronze [13]

More images 		Charles Mark Palmer Jarrow, Tyneside 1903 Statue on pedestal with panels Bronze and Portland stone Grade II Q26637979 [14]

More images 		Queen Victoria Memorial Park, Nottingham 1905 Statue on pedestal Marble and granite Grade II Q26560473 [10][15][16][17]

More images 		Boer War memorial Christchurch Park, Ipswich 1906 Statue on pedestal with plaques Bronze and stone Grade II Q26530640 [18][19]

More images 		Boer War memorial Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham 1906 Sculpture group on tapered pedestal with reliefs and plaques Bronze and granite 6M tall Grade II* Q26162445 [20][21]

More images 		South African War Memorial Cathays Park, Cardiff 1909 Sculptures on pedestal & base Bronze and Portland stone Grade II* Q17741148 [22][23][24]
Memorial to Alistair Mackenzie St James's Church, Abinger Common, Abinger 1910 Wall tablet Grade II* [25]

More images 		King Edward VII Memorial Centenary Square, Birmingham 1913 Statue on pedestal Stone Grade II Q6411498 [26]

More images 		Queen Victoria South Shields c. 1913 Statue on pedestal Bronze and granite Grade II Q26525766 Originally erected with four supporting figures, now located elsewhere in South Shields[10][27]
The Bather Victoria and Albert Museum 1915 Statue Marble On loan from the Tate[28]

More images 		City and Midland Bank War Memorial Upper Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London 1921 Two sculptures, 14 inscribed panels and pediment Bronze and marble Sculptures represent St George and the Recording Angel.[29]

More images 		War memorial Granville Square, Stone, Staffordshire 1921 Statue on pedestal with plaques Bronze and stone Grade II Q26513651 [30][31]

More images 		War memorial Sandon Estate, Sandon, Staffordshire 1921 Statue on pedestal with plaques Bronze and stone Q104245206 [32]

More images 		War memorial Chadderton Town Hall, Greater Manchester 1921 Statue on obelisk and base Bronze and granite Grade II Q26320858 [33][34]

More images 		Royal Fusiliers War Memorial Holborn, London 1922 Statue on pedestal Bronze and Portland stone Grade II* Q7374415 [35][36][37]

More images 		War memorial Euston Place, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire 1922 Statue on inscribed pedestal Bronze and Cornish granite Grade II Q26661550 [38][39]

More images 		Streatham War Memorial Streatham, London 1922 Statue on pedestal Bronze and stone Grade II Q32946115 [40][41][42]
Savage Club war memorial National Liberal Club, London 1922 Plaque Stone [43]

More images 		War memorial Benenden, Kent 1923 Sculpture on pedestal Bronze and stone Grade II Q26371278 [44][45]

More images 		Thornton-Cleveleys War Memorial Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire 1923 Statue on pedestal Bronze and granite Grade II Q108695758 [46][47]

More images 		Oldham War Memorial Grounds of St Mary's Church, Oldham, Lancashire 1923 Sculpture group on pedestal and base Bronze and granite Grade II* Q22115519 Architect, Thomas Taylor[48][49][50]
GKN War memorial Thimblemill Recreation Ground, Smethwick 1924 Statue on pedestal and steps Bronze and stone Grade II [51][52]

More images 		The Armed Forces and Nursing Services Hall of Memory, Birmingham 1923 4 Sculptures Bronze Grade I Q5642705 [53][54]

More images 		41st Division, Royal Fusiliers War Memorial Flers, Somme, France 1932 Statue on pedestal Bronze and stone Figure is a version of the Holborn memorial statue.[36]

More images 		Frank Brangwyn National Museum Cardiff 1937 Bust Bronze 59.0cm [55]

More images 		World War II Midland Bank Staff Memorial Canary Wharf, London Unveiled 1950 Reliefs and panels Stone and marble Originally located in Poultry in the City of London[56]

Other works[edit]

Saint George statue for London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial

Gallery[edit]

  • Royal Fusiliers War Memorial, Holborn, London
    Royal Fusiliers War Memorial, Holborn, London
  • The Nursing Service, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
    The Nursing Service, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
  • The Air Force, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
    The Air Force, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
  • The Royal Navy, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
    The Royal Navy, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
  • The Army, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
    The Army, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
  • Antigone.[65]
    Antigone.[65]
  • Recording Angel statue for London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial
    Recording Angel statue for London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Albert Toft". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  2. ^ Albert Toft Archived 15 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ 'Charles Toft', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 accessed 10 Nov 2018
  4. ^ Remembrance and British war memorials Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Sourced 1 September 2007
  5. ^ Toft's biography at the Henry Moore Institute website
  6. ^ "George Wallis FSA (1811-1891)". Victoria and Albert Museum. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  7. ^ Diane Bilbey with Marjorie Trusted (2002). British Sculpture 1470 to 2000 A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. V&A Publications. ISBN 1851773959.
  8. ^ a b A User's Guide to Public Sculpture. English Heritage / PMSA. 2000. ISBN 185074776-8.
  9. ^ a b "Nottingham Castle" (PDF). English Heritage. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d e Jo Darke (1991). The Monument Guide to England and Wales. Macdonald Illustrated. ISBN 0-356-17609-6.
  11. ^ Cadw. "Henry Richard Memorial (18476)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  12. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Queen Victoria (Grade II) (1381440)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  13. ^ "The Spirit of Contemplation". Victorian Web. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  14. ^ Historic England. "Statue to Sir Charles Mark Palmer (1355095)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Panels from a Memorial to the Late Queen in Nottingham, by Albert Toft". Victorianweb.org. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  16. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Queen Victoria in Memorial Gardens (1270415)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Statue of Queen Victoria". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  18. ^ "War Memorials Register: Suffolk Soldiers". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  19. ^ Historic England. "Boer War Memorial Christchurch Park (1237499)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  20. ^ "War Memorials Register: Cannon Hill Park Boer War Composite". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  21. ^ Historic England. "Boer War Memorial, Cannon Hill Park (1392586)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  22. ^ John Newman (1995). The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan. Penguin Group. p. 107. ISBN 0-14-071056-6.
  23. ^ James Gildea (1911). For Remembrance and in Honour of Those Who Lost Their Lives in the South African War 1899-1902. p. 251.
  24. ^ "War Memorials Register: Welsh National South African War". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  25. ^ Historic England. "Church of St James (1378082)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  26. ^ Historic England. "Edward VII Memorial Statue (Grade II) (1289623)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  27. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Queen Victoria (Grade II) (1232222)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  28. ^ "The Bather". Victorian Web. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  29. ^ "War Memorials Register: Joint City and Midland Bank – WW1". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  30. ^ "War Memorials Register: Stone Serviceman". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  31. ^ Historic England. "War Memorial (1219085)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  32. ^ "War Memorials Register: Sandon Estate". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  33. ^ "War Memorials Register: Chadderton". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  34. ^ Historic England. "Chadderton War Memorial (1068095)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  35. ^ "War Memorials Register: Royal Fusiliers City of London Regiment". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  36. ^ a b Historic England. "Royal Fusiliers War Memorial (1064638)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Royal London Fusiliers' War Memorial 1914-1918". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  38. ^ "War Memorials Register: Leamington Spa". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  39. ^ Historic England. "War Memorial (1381443)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  40. ^ Derek Boorman (1988). At the Going Down of the Sun: British First World War Memorials. William Sessions Limited. ISBN 1 85072 041 X.
  41. ^ "War Memorials Register: Streatham". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  42. ^ Historic England. "Streatham War Memorial (Grade II) (1440589)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  43. ^ "War Memorials Register: Savage Club". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  44. ^ "War Memorials Register: Men of Benenden - WW1 and WW2". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  45. ^ Historic England. "War Memorial (1085201)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  46. ^ "War Memorials Register: Thornton Cleveleys". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  47. ^ Historic England. "Thornton Cleveleys War Memorial (1477225)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  48. ^ "War Memorials Register: Oldham". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  49. ^ Historic England. "Oldham War Memorial, including memorial wall, piers, gates and steps to St Mary's churchyard and forecourt walls, steps and bulstrade (south side) and railings to St Mary's Churchyard (west side) (1210137)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  50. ^ Anthony McIntosh (7 November 2018). "Remembrance in bronze and stone: memorials of the First World War". Art UK. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  51. ^ "War Memorials Register: Guest, Keen and Nettlefords Works Serviceman". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  52. ^ Historic England. "Guest, Keen and Nettlefords (GKN) War Memorial (1461776)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  53. ^ "War Memorials Register: Birmingham Hall of Memory". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  54. ^ Historic England. "Birmingham Hall of Memory (1244943)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  55. ^ "Art Collection Online: Sir Frank Brangwyn". Amgueddfa Cymru. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  56. ^ "War Memorials Register: Midland Bank Staff WW2". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  57. ^ "Union Assurance War Memorial". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  58. ^ "Union Assurance War Memorial models". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  59. ^ "Village Memorial Restored to Original". Black County Bugle. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  60. ^ "Ellaline Terriss". Victorian Web. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  61. ^ "Children of the Sculptor". Victorian Web. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  62. ^ Historic England, "Church of St Anne, Worksop (1045754)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 28 January 2022
  63. ^ "Maternity". Victorian Web. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  64. ^ "Fate-led". Victorian Web. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  65. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, ed. 1911, vol. 24, pg. 505, Plate IV.
  • Modelling And Sculpture by Albert Toft, Seeley, Service & Co. Limited London, 1949—A Full Account of the Various Methods and Processes Employed in These Arts

External links[edit]

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