Sandstone sculpture of 'Tam o'Shanter', by James Thom
Key details
- Object number
- 3.5024
- Date
- 1828
- On display
- Yes
- Maker
- Thom, James Crawford
- Object number
- 3.5024
- Date
- 1828
- On display
- Yes
- Maker
- Thom, James Crawford
Description
This full size seated figure of the character Tam o' Shanter in a fine grained sandstone (freestone) was carved in 1828 by James C. Thom and was the first of upwards of 30 such figures produced by Thom.
James Crawford Thom (1802-1850) born near Tarbolton was a stonemason who was commissioned by David Auld custodian of the Burns Monument in Alloway in 1828 to carve a life sized figure of Tam o' Shanter, having first tried his hand at stone carving at Auld's behest on a Bust of Burns.
This carving and its companion of the character Souter Johnie were taken on an exhibition tour of Glasgow, Edinburgh and London which was well received and raised sufficient funds to enlarge the Monument gardens and house the statues.
Object information
Acquisition
1828
Category
Material
Measurements
- Depth: 106(cm)
- Height: 149(cm)
- Width: 70(cm)