A significant piece of London's public art history is poised to go under the hammer, as a rare bronze model of the iconic Mahatma Gandhi statue from Tavistock Square comes to auction. The miniature maquette, created by sculptor Fredda Brilliant, carries a pre-sale estimate of £6,000 to £8,000.
The Story Behind the Sculpture
This diminutive bronze stands at just 27cm (10.6 inches) tall and represents the earliest complete vision for the full-size monument that has stood in Tavistock Square, Camden, since 1968. Auctioneers Woolley and Wallis have highlighted the growing reputation of its creator, Polish sculptor Fredda Brilliant. Specialist Victor Fauvelle noted the significance of this first maquette emerging from a private London collection.
"Given Fredda’s growing reputation and the fierce bidding we’ve seen for her Gandhi works in the past, the emergence of this first maquette is significant," Mr Fauvelle stated. He added that it offers collectors an exceptional chance to acquire the piece that initiated one of Brilliant's most internationally recognised monuments.
Market Interest and Historical Context
The auction house suggests the model could surpass its estimate, given the strong market for Brilliant's work. A previous sale in 2019 saw her second model of the Indian independence leader fetch a remarkable £65,000 from a private collector. The upcoming sale will be part of Woolley and Wallis’s modern British and 20th-century art auction on Thursday, 5 December 2025.
The sale occurs against a backdrop of recent attention on the main statue. In September 2025, the Tavistock Square monument was defaced with spray paint, including the word "terrorists." The Indian High Commission in London condemned the act as a "shameful act of vandalism" and a "violent attack on the idea of nonviolence," occurring just days before the International Day of Non-Violence. Authorities worked to restore the statue following the incident.
Legacy and Significance
The auction of this maquette provides a tangible link to the creation of a prominent London landmark dedicated to a global figure of peace. It underscores the artistic process behind public monuments and the enduring cultural value placed on works associated with Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. Collectors and historians alike will be watching closely when this piece of sculptural history goes under the hammer.
