Felix Austin went into business in 1828 having bought
moulds from a firm that had gone out of business. He established works in New Road,
London, describing himself variously as an architect, statuary mason and sculptor as well as
artificial stone maker. His material was not the same as the ceramic body used by Mrs Coade
but made from Portland cement, broken stone, pounded marble and coarse sand (The Builder
1868). However, like Mrs Coade, he encouraged leading architects and designers to
work for him. Around 1840 he entered into partnership with John Seeley. Seeley had
trained at the Royal Academy Schools and also made an artificial stone which he called
artificial limestone, before entering into partnership with Austin. In 1841 they
published their first catalogue, Pleasure
Grounds etc. from their address in New Road. The preface begins
"Austin's
Artificial Stone is of a light tint, requires no painting
or colouring, will not sustain injury from the severest winter, and, being impervious to wet,
is particularly applicable to all kinds of water works. Its superiority is now so
thoroughly established, that the most eminent architects and scientific gentlemen have
expressed, in their highest terms, their approbation of its durability, and close resemblance to
the real stone".
The pedestal of this lot is illustrated in their 1841
catalogue No 601..see engraving.
Garden Ornament
