Sculptor active late 19th century.
Discussing the architectural sculpture on the Royal Bank of Scotland at 3-5 Bishopsgate says: "F.G. Anstey was one of those large firms of carvers ... that covered Imperial London with stone heraldry, swags of fruit and busty classical ladies." c. 1877.
Our colleague, Andrew Behan, states that Frederick George Anstey was born on 21 October 1823 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, a son of John Anstey (1774-1857) and Hannah Anstey née Whateley (1786-1863). He was baptised on 27 May 1825 in St Philip's Church, Birmingham, where his date of birth is confirmed in the baptismal register. It also shows that his family were living in Wharf Street, Birmingham and that his father was a gilt toy maker.
He is shown as aged 17 years and an apprentice in the census that was taken on 6 June 1841. He was living at 61 Lionel Street, Birmingham, with his parents and four siblings: Sarah Matilda Anstey (1816-1887); Henry Anstey (1820-1887); Caroline Anstey (1821-1861) and Rebekah Anstey (b.1826). His father was described as a chaser. (Chasing involves the intricate physical decoration of metal surfaces by indenting them with a hammer and punches).
On 6 November 1853 he married Mary Armstrong (1822-1906) in St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Charing Cross, Middlesex (now Trafalgar Square, London, WC2), where in the marriage register he is shown as of full age, a bachelor and a carver, living at Ossendon Street, the son of John Anstey, a chaser, whilst his wife was described as of full age and a spinster who was residing at the same address, the daughter of John Armstrong, a gentleman.
In the census that was undertaken on 7 April 1861 he was shown as aged 38 years and a carver, living at 2 Formosa Terrace, Paddington, Middlesex (now Greater London), with his wife, together with a female domestic servant.
The 1870 edition of the Post Office London Directory lists him as an architectural and monumental sculptor & carver in wood and stone, at 32 Alpha Road, Regent's Park, London NW.
The census that was compiled on 2 April 1871 describes him as aged 47 years and a sculptor residing at 11 Alpha Road, Marylebone, Middlesex (now Greater London), with his 46-year-old wife, their daughter, Charlotte Mary Anstey (1855-1904) - a scholar, together with a female general servant.
In the census that was collected on 3 April 1881, continued to be shown as residing at 11 Alpha Road, Marylebone, with his wife and their daughter, together with a female domestic servant. He was described as aged 57 years and a sculptor.
The 1885 edition of the Post Office London Directory listed him as an architectural and monumental sculptor & carver in marble, stone and wood, at 11 & 12 Alpha Road, Regent's Park, London NW.
His death was registered as aged 67 years in the 1st quarter of 1891 in the Marylebone Registration District, London. Probate records confirm that he was a sculptor who died on 27 March 1891 at 11 Alpha Road, St John's Wood, London. His will was proved on 8 April 1891 by his widow and his daughter Charlotte Mary Anstey, a spinster, both of whom resided at 11 Alpha Road and by a George James Rimell, a bookseller, who lived at 27 Carlton Vale, Maida Vale. His effects totalled £8,478-4s-8d, but were subsequently resworn in January 1892 as £13,981-17s-3d.
Note: Alpha Road used to run from Lisson Grove to what is now Alpha Close.
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