Artificial Stone Coat of Arms

This relief of the Hanoverian royal coat of arms was recovered from the Festival of Britain site in 1951. It was found in the premises of a brick-making firm on College Street in Lambeth near the site of the old Coade Stone Manufactory.

It was made by James George Bubb (1781-1853), a prolific sculptor in marble and artificial stone. Apprenticed to the sculptor John Fontum, for seven years Bubb also worked for Eleanor Coade, who had developed Coade stone. Using 'lithargolite', a ceramic of his own recipe, Bubb set up his own business as a modeller. During his career he received commissions to produce sculptures for St Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Exchange, the Guildhall, the Customs House and the Italian Opera House on the Haymarket. However he was ill-thought of amongst his peers due to the shady practices he used to secure the commission to sculpt the monument to William Pitt the Younger for the Guildhall in 1806. His applications to become a Royal Academician were unsuccessful.

In 1820 Bubb was declared bankrupt and all of his 'valuable stock' was sold by auction on September 12 of that year. Aimed at 'artists, sculptuors, stonemasons, builders and others' the sales description includes 'monuments' and 'pedestals' as well as materials, furniture and books. It is possible this item was sold at the auction. Although Bubb continued to sculpt, his business became increasingly precarious. In 1835 he applied to the Artists' General Benevolent Institution (AGBI) for financial relief having had little work during the previous two years.