Details of Sculptor

Surname

Bullock

Alternative Surname

First Name

William

Initial of Surname

B

Year of Birth/Baptism

early 1780s

Flourished

Year of Death

1849

Biographical Details

William Bullock the naturalist, antiquary, explorer and entrepreneur, who famously established the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London, was also involved in the production of sculpture for a short period early in his career. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Bullock and the brother of George Bullock. His parents were the owners of a travelling waxworks. In 1800 he opened a Cabinet of Curiosities at Portugal House, New Street, Birmingham, which included 'Likenesses of some of the most conspicuous Characters of the present Age modelled in Wax' and 'A Collection of capital Models in Rice Paste' (Aris's Birmingham Gazette [ABG], 11 August 1800). Some of these models were probably inherited from his mother's exhibition and others may have come from Mr Curtius's Cabinet of Curiosities, which was on shown in Birmingham in 1796-97.
By March 1801 he had closed the Birmingham business and re-opened at 24 Lord Street, Liverpool, describing himself as 'Silversmith, Jeweller, Toyman and Statue Figure Manufacturer' and advertising 'Likenesses Modelled in Rice Paste from Ten to Fifteen Guineas' (Billinge's Liverpool Advertiser [BLA], 16 March 1801). It is likely that he was providing a Liverpool outlet for his brother George, who joined him some time between 1801 and 1804. George went into partnership with William Stoakes in June 1804 and six weeks later William moved to a museum and bronze figure manufactory in Church Street, where he sold 'every article in the Bronze figure and ornamental business' (BLA various refs). The two brothers were clearly operating in direct competition with one another for in March 1805, when George Bullock's bust of the popular actor Master Betty was on display in Liverpool, William advertised that another 'taken since his late illness by Mr. Gahagan, Sculptor' could be seen at his museum in Church Street. Copies could be purchased by subscription (Liverpool Chronicle, 13 March 1805).
In 1809 Bullock moved to London, where his exhibition became extremely popular, especially after 1812 when it was installed in the newly erected Egyptian Hall. After auctioning off his collection in 1819 Bullock let the Egyptian Hall for other exhibitions and in 1822 set off on an expedition to Mexico, where he acquired many important pre-Colombian artefacts and natural specimens, which he put on display in London in April 1824. Five years later, after disposing of his Mexican collection and selling the lease on the Egyptian Hall, Bullock again travelled to Mexico and the United States. There he attempted to found a model community near Cincinnati, which he named Hygeia. The venture failed. Bullock was back in London by 1840, and died at 14 Harley Terrace, Chelsea, on 7 March 1849. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Chelsea on 16 March.
Literary References: Altick 1978, 235-52; Bullock 1988, 41-3; Clifford 1992, 45-6, 49-50; ODNB (Baigent; online revision 2009); Pearce 2008, 17-35; Costeloe 2008