George Edwin Bissell (American, 1839-1920) small bronze sculpture by the Gorham Foundry depicting Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, standing and holding a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation in his right hand. Stamped "Geo. E. Bissell Sc" on the left side of the base and "Copyright 1898" on the rear side of the base, with Gorham Co. stamped mark and number 0378. 5 1/2" H. Late 19th century. Biography: George Bissell was born in Connecticut, the son of a quarryman and marble-cutter. During the American Civil War he served in the Union Army. At the close of the war he joined his father's marble business in Poughkeepsie, New York. He studied the art of sculpture abroad including in Paris, during much of the last quarter of the 19th century. He is best known for his public sculptures including President Chester Arthur in Madison Square (NYC), Chancellor James Kent in the Washington Congressional Library, and Abraham Lincoln in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Source: Encyclopedia Brittanica).

PROVENANCE: Elizabeth Ozment for the estate of Elliott Ozment, Nashville, Tennessee. Ozment was a leading Civil Rights and Immigration attorney in Nashville and former State Legislator.

CONDITION: Overall excellent condition, with a medium-dark brown patina and minor oxidation to underside.