Unknown woman
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Unknown woman” now? Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Not on view at present. Checked September 25, 2026.
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the sculpture
This bust is a portrait of an unidentified woman with her plaited hair held in a bun. On the top of her head is a bow. The hairstyle is similar to that of a bust of the Baroness Burdett Coutts, as shown in the photographic album of the Adams studio held in the V&A's Archive of Art and Design, although the woman depicted here appears slightly younger.
George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square.
Read on
The bust was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Details
- Accession number
- A.129-1980
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
