Bare Knuckle.

No outing to walk and shoot today and no interesting veg in the rack - disaster - So I pulled one of my eclectic items off the shelf to shoot and style.

I bought this plaster statue in a Camden charity shop about 20 years ago. I know very little about it but after a google search found similar items online. One labeled 'Vintage Boxing Plaster Statue' on Etsy alleged to be a 40s/50s representation of based on a Victorian Jewish boxer called Mungo the Jew. Another on Vinterior was labeled 'Vintage Plaster Figure Of A Victorian Style Bare Knuckle Boxer', but neither site shed much clarity on their background or origin.

Looking at the outfit, particularly the US style belt, I actually think this a representation of the boxer John L. Sullivan, the "Boston Strong Boy".  (see extra)

John L. was an Irish-American boxer recognised as the first lineal heavyweight champion of gloved boxing, reigning from February 7, 1882, to 1892. He is also generally recognised as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring Rules, being the cultural icon of the late 19th century America, arguably the first boxing superstar and one of the world's highest-paid athletes of his era. 

Rather than present the image as a simple still life study, I found a digitally created boxing ring and adjusted the lighting and grain to create a vintage style image.