6th Duke of Devonshire acquires the Chatsworth Head at Smyrna (1838)

The 6th Duke of Devonshire acquired the Chatsworth Head, a bronze sculpture from circa 460 BCE, from H. P. Borrell at Smyrna in 1838. The head, likely part of an Apollo statue, was kept at Chatsworth House before moving to the British Museum. Smyrna is historically known as İzmir, a major city in Turkey.

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Background and detail

Background. The Chatsworth Head is a slightly over-life-size bronze head dating to around 460 BCE. It was originally part of a complete statue, likely Apollo, constructed from separately cast sections joined together. The head's eyes likely held inlays, with surviving bronze plates forming eyelashes. The artifact takes its name from Chatsworth House, where the Duke and his successors kept it.

Acquisition. William George Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire, acquired the head from H. P. Borrell at Smyrna in 1838. The Duke, an English peer and Whig politician, was elected President of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1838. Smyrna, historically known as İzmir, is a major city in Turkey on the Aegean Sea.

Provenance. The head was kept at Chatsworth House by the Duke and his successors. A leg from the same sculpture is in the Louvre. The head's construction involved lost-wax casting of various sections, including arms and legs, which were joined to form the whole statue.

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