The property of a school in the Wirral, the model had a role in the Victorian classroom – to focus the attention of pupils in classics lessons. After many years’ service to the relief of boredom, it was finally left in the store cupboard, and when the classics teacher asked the authorities if he could keep it, no objections were raised. Constructed from bronze on a stepped wooden base, the Parthenon was not quite so enormous as the Temple of Solomon, measuring 3ft long by 20in wide by 111/4in high (91 x 51 x 28cm), nor did it bear the marks of a foundry or craftsman. Nevertheless it was impressive enough to attract interest far beyond its estimate of £1000-1500, eventually selling to a Northumberland dealer at £14,000 (plus 15 per cent premium).
Victorian scale model of the Parthenon
UK: Two Victorian scale models of ancient temples turned up in the salerooms at the start of Spring, the Temple of Solomon at Bonhams on March 29 (see "Victorian scale model of the Temple of Solomon", above) and this erudite copy of the Parthenon at the Chester salerooms of Halls on April 5.
