AN ENGLISH ARTIFICIAL STONE FIGURE OF A SHEPHERD BOY

Felix Austin went into business making artificial stone in 1828. 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 made from Portland cement, broken stone, pounded marble and coarse sand (The Builder, 1868). Around 1840 he entered into partnership with John Seeley and in 1841 they published their first catalogue: 'Collection of Ornaments at Austin & Seeley's Artificial Stone Works for Gardens, Parks, and Pleasure Grounds, etc' The firm continued in production until about 1872.