John Robert Steell Paintings & Artwork for Sale | John Robert Steell Art Value Price Guide

Feb. 14, 2026
John Robert STEELL (1804-1891) (attributed), plaster bust of Thomas De Quincey, unsigned
Est: €300 - €500
John Robert STEELL (1804-1891) (attributed), plaster bust of Thomas De Quincey, unsigned John Robert STEELL (1804-1891) (toegeschreven), gipsen buste vanThomas De Quincey, niet getekend
Maison Jules Veilinghuis
Sep. 16, 2025
Sir John Robert Steell RSA (1804-1891),
Est: £1,000 - £2,000
Sir John Robert Steell RSA (1804-1891), a portrait bust of a young man, probably John David Inglis (1843-1861), carved marble, signed verso 'Jn. Steell R.S.A. Sculpt. Edinr.' and dated '1862', 40cm wide 25cm deep 62cm high Provenance: Lady Geraldine Inglis of Glencorse; thence by descent. Carved in 1862, this sensitively modelled marble bust by Sir John Steell likely depicts John David Inglis (1843-1861), the grandson of Reverend John Inglis and first-born son of the Rt Hon. Sir John Inglis, Lord Glencorse. Created the year after the young man’s death at the age of 18, the work carries a quiet poignancy. Though classical in treatment - following Steell’s characteristic use of smooth surfaces and restrained drapery - the bust conveys a youthful delicacy and introspection. Signed ‘Jn. Steell R.S.A. Sculpt. Edinr.’, it reflects both the sculptor’s technical refinement and his ability to capture a sitter’s individuality within an idealised form. Condition Report: The bust has small areas of dirt, paint flecks, residue and marks throughout. Old chips to robes. Socle appears to be contemporary. Sits level on a flat surface.
Sworders
Sep. 16, 2025
Sir John Robert Steell RSA (1804-1891),
Est: £1,000 - £2,000
Sir John Robert Steell RSA (1804-1891), a portrait bust of Rev. John Inglis (1762-1834), carved marble, head turned slightly to dexter, depicted in Roman dress, signed verso 'Jn. Steel Sculpt.' and dated '1852', 39cm wide 29cm deep 58cm high Provenance: Lady Geraldine Inglis of Glencorse; thence by descent. The present bust, signed ‘Jn. Steel Sculpt.’ and dated ‘1852’, forms part of Sir John Steell’s popular mid-career portrait commissions, which were both attainable and sought after in Victorian Scotland. It follows Steell’s standard form and style for portraits of this type, depicting the sitter in classical robes, with a smooth matte surface, and blank, uninscribed eyes. Similar examples can be found in an 1843 marble bust of Thomas Graham, an eminent Scottish chemist, in the collection of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and a portrait of the Reverend Thomas Chalmers from 1846 in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. Despite the timelessness of these depictions, Steell was known to introduce contemporary elements to his portraits to give a real sense of the person behind the sculpture, for example, the realistic treatment of hair as seen in the present work. The piece is not titled, but most likely depicts the Rev. John Inglis (1762–1834), a distinguished Church of Scotland minister, Moderator of the General Assembly in 1804, and Dean of the Chapel Royal from 1810. There is a close likeness between this sitter and a known portrait of Rev. John Inglis by John Syme (1795-1861), from the collection of Lady Geraldine Inglis of Glencorse. The portrait was reproduced in print by Thomas Hodgetts & Son, and copies exist in the collections of the National Galleries of Scotland, as well as the National Portrait Gallery and the British Museum, London. As discussed, Steell was known to present realistic likenesses in his portrait busts, and may have drawn upon these references when creating this piece, almost twenty years after Inglis’s death. The bust was most likely commissioned by the sitter’s family. It has thence passed by descent through the Inglis family and comes from the collection of Lady Geraldine Inglis of Glencorse, who was married to Sir Roderick John Inglis of Glencorse, 10th Bt., a direct descendant of the Rev. John Inglis. The work is a fine example of both Steell’s portrait bust technique and the cultural milieu of mid-19th-century Scotland. Condition Report: The bust has some pant flecks and dirt residue. Some small nibbles and chips. Marks/dirt. Chip to the front of the robe and old chip to back left edge.
Sworders
May. 15, 2025
CARVED SANDSTONE FIGURE GROUP, BY SIR JOHN STEELL RSA (1804-1891)
Est: £1,500 - £2,500
CARVED SANDSTONE FIGURE GROUP, BY SIR JOHN STEELL RSA (1804-1891) PROVIDENCE WITH WIDOW AND CHILDREN, CIRCA 1832 modelled as the figure of Providence holding a large cornucopia issuing grain and fruit, flanked by the figures of a widow and children and a child holding a sheaf of wheat next to a founding stone with date MDCCCXV (Scottish Widows founded in 1815), together with two pediment corners, modelled as a plough surrounded with wheat and an anchorIMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THIS LOT: This sculpture will be sold in situ and is not available to view at Lyon & Turnbull. Additional photographs and a condition report are available. Viewing can be arranged by appointment - please contact the department. The lot is currently situated approximately one hour's drive south east of Edinburgh. All removal costs will be the responsibility of the purchaser. 182cm high, 250cm wide Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society, 5 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh from 1832Removed to Scottish Widows' office, 141 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, circa 1860Removed to 9 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, circa 1970The Late Donald Mackenzie and thence by descentSold in these rooms, Scottish Silver & Applied Arts, 16 August 2017, where purchased by the current owner's family John Steell (1804-1891) was born in Aberdeen in 1804, but moved to Edinburgh with his family in 1807. He entered into an apprenticeship with his father, who was a carver and gilder, and trained at the Trustees' School of Design. Just five years after going into partnership with his father in 1824 he resolved to become a sculptor and travelled to Rome. On his return in 1830, he was made a member of the Royal Scottish Academy. During the course of his career he became one of the most important and esteemed sculptors of nineteenth century Scotland, being made sculptor to the Queen in Scotland in 1838. He is known for several famous statues including the statue of Queen Victoria atop the RSA building on Princes Street, Edinburgh, the statue of Sir Walter Scott in the Scott Monument, also on Princes Street, and Edinburgh's Prince Albert Memorial monument in Charlotte Square, for which he received his knighthood in 1876.In 1832 he was commissioned to design his first architectural piece, the current lot, which would adorn the entrance to the St Andrew Square, head office of the Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society in Edinburgh. It was based on the decorative emblem that was used on the society's policy documents. The sculpture depicts Providence, who is the divine representation of the ability to make provision, with a cornucopia with fruit and vegetables spilling from it. To her left is a child holding a bulging sheaf of wheat. On the left of the sculpture sits a mourning widow, shawled and seated in a Madonna-like fashion, surrounded by her children who look up at her. On the right of the sculpture is a headstone, signifying the lost husband, with the date AD MDCCCXV (1815) inscribed on it, which was the year of the society's establishment. In 1859 the society's offices were moved a few doors down and the sculpture was relocated to their Glasgow branch on Buchanan Street. From there it was removed some time before the building's demolition in the 1970s, at which point it was stored in the basement of the old Scottish Widows' building at 9 St Andrew Square. The sculpture was subsequently gifted to Donald Mackenzie who placed it in his garden, from whence it was sold by Lyon & Turnbull in 2017.
Lyon & Turnbull
Oct. 16, 2024
Steell (Sir John Robert, 1804-1891). Reverend Thomas Guthrie, circa 1856, cast bronze bust
Est: £500 - £800
Steell (Sir John Robert, 1804-1891). Reverend Thomas Guthrie, circa 1856, cast bronze bust * Steell (Sir John Robert, 1804-1891). Reverend Thomas Guthrie, circa 1856, cast bronze bust with impressed mark to the base, 51 cm high QTY: (1) NOTE: Reverend Thomas Guthrie (1803-1873) was a Scottish preacher, philanthropist and founding member of Ragged Schools. Sir John Steell (1804-1891) R.S.A., modelled many of the leading Scottish figures of the time in Scottish culture. He is best known for a number of sculptures displayed in Edinburgh, including the statue of Sir Walter Scott at the base of the Scott Monument.
Dominic Winter Auctions
Mar. 19, 2024
Sir John Robert Steell RSA (1804-1891),
Est: £400 - £600
Sir John Robert Steell RSA (1804-1891), a bronze plaque of a man's head in profile, signed 'Jn Steell Sculpt', 24cm wide 6cm deep 37cm high
Sworders
Dec. 12, 2023
Sir John Steell (British, 1804-1891)Alexander and Bucephalus, bronze
Est: £1,000 - £1,200
Sir John Steell (British, 1804-1891) Alexander and Bucephalus, bronze After the full-scale statue situated in front of the Edinburgh city chambers, modelled with the horse rearing, and the figure of Alexander by his side, inscribed to the base 'J. STEELL SCULPS EDIN 1833', raised on a naturalist base, 47cm wide, 24cm deep, 51cm high (18 1/2in wide, 9in deep, 20in high)
Bonhams
Sep. 14, 2023
Sir John Steell (British, 1804-1891)Alexander and Bucephalus, bronze
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
Sir John Steell (British, 1804-1891) Alexander and Bucephalus, bronze After the full-scale statue situated in front of the Edinburgh city chambers, modelled with the horse rearing, and the figure of Alexander by his side, inscribed to the base 'J. STEELL SCULPS EDIN 1833', raised on a naturalist base, 47cm wide, 24cm deep, 51cm high (18 1/2in wide, 9in deep, 20in high)
Bonhams
Aug. 16, 2023
FIGURE OF ROBERT BURNS BY SIR JOHN STEELL RSA (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) 19TH CENTURY
Est: £600 - £800
FIGURE OF ROBERT BURNS BY SIR JOHN STEELL RSA (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) 19TH CENTURY bronze, dark green patina, depicted sitting on a tree stump, his head raised, beneath his feet is a scroll inscribed with a passage of his poetry, on an integral rectangular plinth base (28cm wide, 49cm high, 33cm deep)
Lyon & Turnbull
Jul. 20, 2022
Sir John Robert Steell, Scottish, 1804-1892, a mar…
Est: £600 - £1,000
Sir John Robert Steell, Scottish, 1804-1892, a marble bust of a young woman, dated 1856, signed to the reverse, JN. STEELL R.S.A./Sculpt. Edinr. / 1856, on a waisted socle base, 64.2cm high Photographs: Â© Christie's Images. Please refer to department for condition report
Roseberys
May. 25, 2022
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL, RSA (ABERDEEN 1804-1892 A young woman 20 1/2 in. (
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL, RSA (ABERDEEN 1804-1892 A young woman 20 1/2 in. (52.1 cm.) high; 25 1/4 in. (64.2 cm.) high, overall
Christie's
Apr. 29, 2022
Sir John Robert Steell (Scottish, 1804 - 1891), white marble portrait bust of a young boy, signed verso 'Jn Steell. R.S.A. Sculpt Edinr 1857', on socled base, 45cm
Est: £500 - £800
Sir John Robert Steell (Scottish, 1804 - 1891), white marble portrait bust of a young boy, signed verso 'Jn Steell. R.S.A. Sculpt Edinr 1857', on socled base, 45cm
Dawsons Auctioneers
Mar. 24, 2021
Sir John Robert Steel, R.S.A., Scottish, 1804-1891, a bronze bust of Reverend Thomas Guthrie, c
Est: £800 - £1,200
Sir John Robert Steel, R.S.A., Scottish, 1804-1891, a bronze bust of Reverend Thomas Guthrie, c.1856, signed to the reverse Jn STEEL Sculpt and faintly to the square base, 51cm high Note: The Rev. Thomas Guthrie (1803-1873) was a Scottish preacher, philanthropist and founding member of Ragged Schools. Sir John Steell trained for several years in Rome, and although encouraged by Chantrey to move to London, he lived the rest of his life in Scotland, dedicated to the promotion of the arts of his native country. Steell achieved great celebrity for his talents as a portraitist, in particular for his busts of Wellington, Florence Nightingale and Robert Burns. An identical bust to the present lot is in the National Galleries of Scotland Collection. Please refer to department for condition report
Roseberys
Nov. 15, 2018
Sir John Steell, Florence Nightingale
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Sir John Steell, (Scottish, 1804-1891), patinated bronze sculpture bust, signed on the underside "JN. Steell, R.S.A., Sculp. Edinburgh, 1862", 26.5"h x 17"w
Millea Bros Ltd
Jun. 14, 2018
Sir John Steell (British, 1804-1891), SIR WALTER SCOTT, height 16 in — 40.6 cm
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Sir John Steell (British, 1804-1891)SIR WALTER SCOTTpatinated bronze reduction of the Scott Monument in Edinburgh, Scottland, impressed ‘Jn. Steell, Sculpt.’, height 16 in — 40.6 cmProvenance:Gifted to the Art Gallery of Ontario by A. Bartlett Brebner, 1932, inventory no. 2118Deaccessioned to benefit art purchase at the AGO.Estimate: $2,000—3,000
Waddington's
Jan. 31, 2018
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) WHITE MARBLE BUST OF A YOUNG MAN 65cm high
Est: £1,500 - £2,500
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) WHITE MARBLE BUST OF A YOUNG MAN the subject with long tousled hair and beard, on a socle base, signed JN. STEELL. SCULPT./ 1853. 65cm high
Lyon & Turnbull
Dec. 06, 2017
Sir John Steell (British, 1804-1891), SIR WALTER SCOTT, height 16 in — 40.6 cm
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
SIR JOHN STEELL (BRITISH, 1804-1891)SIR WALTER SCOTTpatinated bronze reduction of the Scott Monument in Edinburgh, Scottland, impressed ‘Jn. Steell, Sculpt.’, height 16 in — 40.6 cmProvenance:Gifted to the Art Gallery of Ontario by A. Bartlett Brebner, 1932, inventory no. 2118Deaccessioned to benefit art purchase at the AGO.Estimate: $4,000—6,000
Waddington's
Oct. 10, 2017
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL (1804 - 1891)Portrait of a BoyMarble, 38cm tallSir John Steell was born in Aberdeen on 18th September 1804, but his family moved to Edinburgh around one year after his birth. He is best known for a number of sculptures disp
Est: €1,000 - €1,500
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL (1804 - 1891)Portrait of a BoyMarble, 38cm tallSir John Steell was born in Aberdeen on 18th September 1804, but his family moved to Edinburgh around one year after his birth. He is best known for a number of sculptures displayed in Edinburgh, including the statue of Sir Walter Scott at the Scott Monument. His portrait was painted by Robert Scott Lauder.Steell was born in Aberdeen, one of the eleven children of John Steell Senior, an Edinburgh carver and guilder, and Margaret Gourlay, the daughter of William Gourlay, a Dundee shipbuilder. Steell initially followed his father, training to be a carver himself. He showed artistic talent and so studied art at the Trustees Academy in Edinburgh and then studied sculpture in Rome. On his return, he opened Scotlands first foundry dedicated to sculptures and was commissioned for numerous works, particularly statues and monuments in Edinburgh. The first work to attract major attention was Alexander Taming Bucephalus carved in 1832/3 (cast in bronze in 1883, and now standing in the quadrangle of Edinburgh City Chambers). Around 18, he was appointed as Sculptor to Her Majesty the Queen, a post which was later recognised as a part of the Royal Household in Scotland. He exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy and was knighted in 1876 following the unveiling, by Queen Victoria, of his statue The Prince Consort, which stands in Charlotte Square in Edinburgh.Sir John Steells brother Gourlay Steell was himself a noted animal painter. He was Queen Victorias animal painter, taking over from Sir Edwin Landseer. Many of Gourlay Steells paintings remain in the private collection of Queen Elizabeth II.John Steell died on 15th September 1891 and is buried in an unmarked grave in Edinburghs Old Calton Cemetery. This grave was purchased by his father John Steell Senior and many members of the Steell and Gourlay families are also interred here.
Adam's
Sep. 27, 2017
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL RSA (1804-1891) PROVIDENCE WITH WIDOW AND CHILDREN, CIRCA 1832 135cm wide
Est: £200 - £300
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL RSA (1804-1891) PROVIDENCE WITH WIDOW AND CHILDREN, CIRCA 1832 carved sandstone maquette 135cm wide
Lyon & Turnbull
Aug. 16, 2017
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL RSA (1804-1891) PROVIDENCE WITH WIDOW AND CHILDREN, CIRCA 1832 135cm wide
Est: £400 - £600
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL RSA (1804-1891) PROVIDENCE WITH WIDOW AND CHILDREN, CIRCA 1832 carved sandstone maquette, for the previous lot IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THIS LOT: This sculpture will be sold in situ and is not available to view at Lyon & Turnbull. Extensive photographs and a condition report are available. Viewing can be arranged by appointment - please contact the department. The lot is currently situated approximately one hour''s drive south from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. All removal costs will be the responsibility of the purchaser. 135cm wide
Lyon & Turnbull
Aug. 16, 2017
SIR JOHN STEELL RSA (1804-1891) PROVIDENCE WITH WIDOW AND CHILDREN, CIRCA 1832 Dimensions: 182cm x 250cm
Est: £2,500 - £3,500
SIR JOHN STEELL RSA (1804-1891) PROVIDENCE WITH WIDOW AND CHILDREN, CIRCA 1832 carved sandstone figure group IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THIS LOT: This sculpture will be sold in situ and is not available to view at Lyon & Turnbull. Extensive photographs and a condition report are available. Viewing can be arranged by appointment - please contact the department. The lot is currently situated approximately one hour''s drive south from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. All removal costs will be the responsibility of the purchaser. Dimensions: 182cm x 250cm
Lyon & Turnbull
Sep. 28, 2016
SIR JOHN STEELL (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) BUST OF LORD JEFFERIES 79cm high
Est: £500 - £700
SIR JOHN STEELL (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) BUST OF LORD JEFFERIES painted plaster, the sitter dressed as classical robes, signed 'J.STEELL Scupt 1852' on a socle base 79cm high
Lyon & Turnbull
Sep. 30, 2015
JOHN STEELL (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) LORD JEFFERIES 79cm high
Est: £800 - £1,200
JOHN STEELL (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) LORD JEFFERIES painted plaster bust, the sitter dressed as Roman nobleman, signed 'J.STEEL Scupt 1852' on a socle base 79cm high
Lyon & Turnbull
Jan. 14, 2015
SIR JOHN STEELL, RSA (SCOTTISH, 1804-1891) ALEXANDER TRAINING BUCEPHALUS, 19TH CENTURY 51cm high
Est: £1,000 - £1,500
SIR JOHN STEELL, RSA (SCOTTISH, 1804-1891) ALEXANDER TRAINING BUCEPHALUS, 19TH CENTURY bronze, inscribed JN. STEELL SCULPT EDINBR. 1833 51cm high
Lyon & Turnbull
Dec. 02, 2014
A MARBLE BUST OF TSAR ALEXANDER I OF RUSSIA
Est: £4,000 - £6,000
A MARBLE BUST OF TSAR ALEXANDER I OF RUSSIA BY SIR JOHN STEELL RSA (1804-1891), 1842 Signed to reverse 'Steell./ Sculpt. 1842.'; on a circular marble socle 25 5/8 in. (65 cm.) high; 30 in. (76.3 cm.) high, overall
Christie's
Oct. 13, 2014
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL RSA (1804-1891) Portrait
Est: €1,500 - €2,000
SIR JOHN ROBERT STEELL RSA (1804-1891) Portrait Bust of a Young Boy Carved marble, 38cm tall
Adam's
Jul. 02, 2013
JOHN STEELL
Est: £2,500 - £3,500
PROPERTY OF AN ENGLISH PRIVATE COLLECTOR BRITISH 1804 - 1891 BUST OF A BOY signed and dated: JN. STEELL. R.S.A. Sculpt. Edinr. 1861. white marble, on a white marble socle overall: 51cm., 20 1/8 in.
Sotheby's
Jul. 03, 2012
JOHN STEELL
Est: £4,000 - £6,000
PROPERTY OF AN ENGLISH PRIVATE COLLECTOR BRITISH 1804 - 1891 BUST OF A BOY signed and dated: JυN. STEELL. R.S.A. Sculpυt. Edinυr. 1861. white marble on a white marble socle overall: 51cm., 20 1/8 in.
Sotheby's
Nov. 19, 2011
Sir John Robert Steell, R.S.A. (British/Scottish)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Sir John Robert Steell, R.S.A. (British/Scottish, 1804-1891), "Bust of a Young Man in a Toga", 1865, marble, signed and dated on spine of socle "J. STEELL. R.S.A./ Sculp. Edinb./ 1865", height 28 in
Neal Auction Company
Jun. 29, 2011
SIR JOHN STEELL (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) MARBLE BUST OF A GENTLEMAN 73cm high
Est: £1,000 - £1,500
SIR JOHN STEELL (SCOTTISH 1804-1891) MARBLE BUST OF A GENTLEMAN raised on a socle base, signed 'Jn. STEELL, Sculp, 1851' 73cm high
Lyon & Turnbull
Dec. 09, 2010
Sir John Steell RSA (1804-1891)
Est: £1,200 - £1,800
A carved marble bust portrait of a bearded gentleman, signed and dated 1849, raised on a later stained pine plinth. 51cm high 20" high)
Bonhams
Sep. 10, 2010
Attributed to Sir John Steell RSA 1804-1891
Est: £150 - £200
A 19th century ivory profile, the profile carved on a ivory tablet, contained within a rectangular gilt wood frame, with applied paper label inscribed indistinctly 'Isabella Maconachie Welwood, Eldest daughter of 2nd Nxx from an alto relivro by Steele, 1839' wide 13cm x 16cm, and a Masonic salt glaze mallet shaped masonic flagon, the flagon sprig mounted with various Masonic devices and impressed FHC, the flagon 20.5cm high, (2).
Bonhams
Sep. 03, 2009
Sir John Steell, 1804-1891: A patinated plaster of
Est: - €135
Sir John Steell, 1804-1891: A patinated plaster of Paris bust. Signed J. Steell, Sculp. 1846. H. 51 cm.
Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers
Jun. 28, 2007
Sir John Steell Scottish, 1804-1891 , A seated figure of Robert Burns (1759-1796)
Est: £8,000 - £12,000
the scroll inscribed with Burns verse bronze, rich dark brown patina
Sotheby's
Jun. 28, 2007
Sir John Steell Scottish, 1804-1891 , A seated figure of Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)
Est: £5,000 - £7,000
bronze, rich dark brown patina
Sotheby's
Aug. 24, 2005
Sir John Steell RSA, 1804-1891,
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
A 19th Century bronze statue of Robert Burns, depicted sitting on a tree stump, his head raised, beneath his feet is a scroll inscribed with a passage of his poetry, on an integral rectangular plinth base, 49cm high 28cm wide 33cm deep.
Bonhams
Aug. 24, 2005
Sir John Steell RSA, 1804-1891,
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
A bronze statue of Sir Walter Scott, depicted seated, holding a book, at his feet is a deer hound, on a naturalistic rectangular shaped plinth, signed indistinctly, 42cm high.
Bonhams