View source for Albert Toft

{{Short description|English sculptor (1862–1949)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox person
 | name             = Albert Toft
 | image        = George Clausen - Portrait Of Albert Toft (1862-1949) - 1947P17 - Birmingham Museums Trust.jpg
 | caption      = Albert Toft by [[George Clausen]]
 | birth_date       = {{Birth date|1862|06|03|df=y}}
 | birth_place      = [[Handsworth, West Midlands|Handsworth]], [[Staffordshire]], England
 | death_date       = {{Death date and age|1949|12|18|1862|06|03|df=y}}
 | death_place      = [[Worthing]], [[Sussex]], England
 | nationality      = [[British people|British]]
 | other_names      = 
 | education        = 
 | alma_mater       = [[Royal College of Art|South Kensington Schools]]
 | occupation       = Sculptor
 | notable_works    = 
}}
'''Albert Toft''' (3 June 1862 &ndash; 18 December 1949)<ref name="ODNB">{{cite web|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/38293|title=Albert Toft|work=[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]|accessdate=4 January 2012}}</ref> was a British sculptor.<ref>[http://www.drawpaintsculpt.com/artist-biographies/albert-toft Albert Toft] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815194511/http://www.drawpaintsculpt.com/artist-biographies/albert-toft/ |date=15 August 2011 }}</ref>

Toft's career was dominated by public commemorative commissions in bronze, mostly single statues of military or royal figures.  The [[Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria]] in 1897, [[Second Boer War|Boer War]] to 1902, and then World War I to 1918, provided plentiful commissions.  The ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' describes Toft as one of the major figures of the "New Sculpture" movement following on from William [[Hamo Thornycroft]] and [[George Frampton]]. Toft described his work as 'Idealist' but he also said of himself that "to become an idealist you must necessarily first be a realist."

His father was a notable modeller in ceramics, and his brother was the landscape artist Joseph [[Alfonso Toft]].

==Biography==
Toft was born in [[Handsworth, West Midlands|Handsworth]], then in [[Staffordshire]], and now a suburb of Birmingham. His parents were [[Charles Toft]] (1832&ndash;1909) and Rosanna Reeves. His father was a senior modeller at [[Mintons]], and then the chief modeller at [[Wedgwood]] pottery.  He had also taught modelling at [[Birmingham School of Art]] for some years to 1873.<ref>'Charles Toft', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib4_1209120203, accessed 10 Nov 2018]</ref>

Toft trained at Wedgwood, and attended art schools in [[Hanley, Staffordshire]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]. In 1881 he won a scholarship to study sculpture at the [[Royal College of Art|South Kensington Schools]] under Professor [[Édouard Lantéri]].<ref>[http://www.web-mouse.co.uk/remembrance/extracts/britishwarmemorials/hf-bwm-toft.htm Remembrance and British war memorials] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927234125/http://www.web-mouse.co.uk/remembrance/extracts/britishwarmemorials/hf-bwm-toft.htm |date=27 September 2007 }}. Sourced 1 September 2007</ref> He received silver medals in his second and third years.

From 1885 onwards Toft exhibited at the [[Royal Academy]] and some of his most notable works exhibited at the Royal Academy included ''Fate-Led'' (1890, now at [[Walker Art Gallery]]), ''The Sere and Yellow Leaf'' (1892), ''Spring'' (1897, now at [[Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery]]), ''The Spirit of Contemplation'' (1901; [[Laing Art Gallery]], Newcastle) and ''The Metal Pourer'' (1915). In 1915 his sculpture ''The Bather'' was purchased using the Royal Academy's [[Chantrey Fund]]. His 1888 bust of [[William Ewart Gladstone]] for the [[National Liberal Club]] was modelled from life and acclaimed as one of the best. In 1900 Toft received a bronze medal at the [[Universal Exhibition]] in Paris.

He created monuments to [[Queen Victoria]] for Leamington Spa, Nottingham, and South Shields, and to [[Edward VII]] in Birmingham and Warwick. He designed the coronation medal of [[George V]] and [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] (1911) and a statuette of [[W. S. Penley]] playing [[Charley's Aunt]] for [[Royal Doulton]] (1913). He also published a book, ''Modelling and Sculpture'' in 1911, which was reprinted in 1949.

He made a series of war memorials, starting with the [[South African War Memorial (Cardiff)|South African War Memorial]] in Cardiff (1910), and then many after the First World War, including the [[Royal Fusiliers War Memorial]] in London (1922), and four statues for the [[Hall of Memory, Birmingham|Birmingham Hall of Memory]] (1923–24).

In 1891 Toft was elected to the [[Art Workers Guild]] and in 1938 he was elected a fellow to the [[Royal Society of British Sculptors]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20121128164126/http://217.204.55.154/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqSearch=RefNo=='2003.4'&dsqDb=Catalog Toft's biography at the Henry Moore Institute website]</ref>

He died in [[Worthing]].

==Public monuments and memorials==
{{Public art header|show_architect=no|show_material=yes|show_dimensions=yes|show_artist=no|show_owner=no|show_wikidata=yes}}
{{Public art row
| image       = Bust of George Wallis by Albert Toft.jpg
| commonscat  = 
| subject     = [[George Wallis]]
| location    = [[National Art Library]], Victoria and Albert Museum
| date        = 1889
| type        = Bust
| material = Terracotta
| dimensions = 61.5cm high
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = 
| notes =  <ref>{{cite web|url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O71924/george-wallis-fsa-1811-1891-bust-toft-albert/|title=George Wallis FSA (1811-1891)|website=Victoria and Albert Museum|access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Diane Bilbey with Marjorie Trusted |publisher=V&A Publications|year=2002|title=British Sculpture 1470 to 2000 A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum |isbn= 1851773959}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Memorial Bust - Major Jonathan White (cropped).jpg
| commonscat = 
| subject = Major Jonathen White 
| location = [[Nottingham Castle]]  
| date = 1891
| type = Bust on pedestal
| material = Bronze and granite
| dimensions = 
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = 
| notes = Major White (1804–1889) served in the [[Robin Hood Rifles]].<ref name="Users">{{cite book|publisher=English Heritage / PMSA|year=2000|title=A User's Guide to Public Sculpture |isbn=185074776-8}}</ref><ref name="Nott Castle">{{cite web|url=http://www.stuartburch.com/uploads/8/1/9/1/8191744/2000_nottingham_sculpture_walk.pdf|title= Nottingham Castle|website= English Heritage |accessdate= 13 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="JoDarke">{{cite book|author=Jo Darke|publisher=Macdonald Illustrated|year=1991|title= The Monument Guide to England and Wales |isbn=0-356-17609-6}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Statue of Henry Richard, Tregaron, Ceredigion - geograph.org.uk - 1435990.jpg  
| commonscat = Statue of Henry Richard, Tregaron
| subject = [[Henry Richard]]
| location = [[Tregaron]], [[Ceredigion]]
| date = 1893
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Bronze and granite 
| dimensions = 5.5m high
| designation = Grade II
| coordinates = 
| show_wikidata= yes
| wikidata = Q29495968
| notes = <ref name="JoDarke"/><ref>{{cadw |num= 18476 |desc= Henry Richard Memorial |accessdate= 10 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Philip James Bailey - geograph.org.uk - 2721624.jpg
| commonscat = Bust of Philip James Bailey
| subject = [[Philip James Bailey]]
| location = [[Nottingham Castle]] 
| date = 1901
| type = Bust and panel
| material = Bronze
| dimensions = 
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = 
| notes = <ref name="Users"/><ref name="Nott Castle" /><ref name="JoDarke"/>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Queen Victoria's Statue - geograph.org.uk - 107476.jpg
| commonscat = Statue of Queen Victoria, Royal Leamington Spa
| subject = [[Queen Victoria]]
| location = Town Hall, [[Royal Leamington Spa]]
| date = 1901
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Sicilian marble and Aberdeen granite 
| dimensions = 3 metres high statue on a 4 metres high pedestal
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q26661547 
| notes = <ref>{{NHLE |num=1381440 |desc=Statue of Queen Victoria|grade=II |accessdate=9 October 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image       = Albert Toft (1862-1949) - The Spirit of Contemplation (bronze) (1901) (11340231214).png
| commonscat  = The Spirit of Contemplation by Albert Toft
| subject     = ''The Spirit of Contemplation''
| location    = [[Laing Art Gallery]]
| date        = 1901
| type        = Statue
| material = Bronze
| dimensions = 
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = 
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/toft/28.html|title= ''The Spirit of Contemplation''|website= Victorian Web|accessdate= 13 November 2012}}</ref>  
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Jarrow, Sir Charles Mark Palmer statue - geograph.org.uk - 595987.jpg
| commonscat = Statue of Charles Mark Palmer, Jarrow
| subject = [[Charles Mark Palmer]]
| location =  [[Jarrow]], Tyneside
| date = 1903
| type = Statue on pedestal with panels
| material = Bronze and Portland stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= Q26637979
| wikidata = Q26637979
| notes = <ref>{{NHLE |num=1355095 |desc=Statue to Sir Charles Mark Palmer |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Nottingham Memorial Park Victoria 0391s.JPG|Queen Victoria, 
| commonscat = Statue of Queen Victoria, Nottingham
| subject = Queen Victoria
| location = [[The Meadows, Nottingham|Memorial Park]], [[Nottingham]]
| date = 1905 
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Marble and granite
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q26560473
| notes = <ref name="JoDarke"/><ref name="victorianweb.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/toft/25.html|title=Panels from a Memorial to the Late Queen in Nottingham, by Albert Toft|website=Victorianweb.org|accessdate=12 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1270415 |desc=Statue of Queen Victoria in Memorial Gardens |accessdate=17 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-458928-statue-of-queen-victoria-in-memorial-gar|title= Statue of Queen Victoria|website= British Listed Buildings|accessdate= 13 November 2012}}</ref> 
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Monument to Suffolk soldiers, Christchurch park - geograph.org.uk - 1223180.jpg
| commonscat = Boer War Memorial, Ipswich
| subject = Boer War memorial
| location = Christchurch Park, [[Ipswich]]  
| date = 1906
| type = Statue on pedestal with plaques
| material = Bronze and stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q26530640
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/4613 |title=War Memorials Register: Suffolk Soldiers|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= [[Imperial War Museum]]}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1237499 |desc=Boer War Memorial Christchurch Park |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = South African War Memorial Statue - Cannon Hill Park - geograph.org.uk - 807866.jpg
| commonscat = Boer War Memorial, Cannon Hill Park
| subject = Boer War memorial
| location =  [[Cannon Hill Park]], [[Birmingham]] 
| date = 1906
| type = Sculpture group on tapered pedestal with reliefs and plaques
| material = Bronze and granite
| dimensions = 6M tall
| designation = Grade II*
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q26162445
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/17351 |title=War Memorials Register: Cannon Hill Park Boer War Composite|access-date= 17 February 2021|website= [[Imperial War Museum]]}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1392586 |desc=Boer War Memorial, Cannon Hill Park|access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = The South African (Boer War) Memorial 2012.jpg
| commonscat = South African War Memorial, Cardiff
| subject = [[South African War Memorial, Cardiff|South African War Memorial]]
| location = [[Cathays Park]], Cardiff 
| date = 1909
| type = Sculptures on pedestal & base
| material = Bronze and Portland stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II*
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q17741148
| notes = <ref>{{cite book|author=John Newman|title=The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan|year=1995|publisher=Penguin Group|isbn=0-14-071056-6|page=107|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DpUMspCtpNIC&q=South+African+War+Memorial+cardiff&pg=PA685}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=For Remembrance and in Honour of Those Who Lost Their Lives in the South African War 1899-1902|author= James Gildea|year=1911|page= 251}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2133 |title=War Memorials Register: Welsh National South African War |access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = 
| commonscat = 
| subject = Memorial to Alistair Mackenzie
| location = [[St James's Church, Abinger Common]], [[Abinger]] 
| date = 1910
| type = Wall tablet
| material = 
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II*
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = 
| notes = <ref>{{NHLE |num=1378082 |desc=Church of St James|access-date=12 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image =  King Edward VII statue Birmingham.JPG
| commonscat = King Edward VII Memorial
| subject = [[King Edward VII Memorial]]
| location = [[Centenary Square]], Birmingham
| date = 1913
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q6411498
| notes = <ref>{{NHLE |num=1289623 |desc=Edward VII Memorial Statue|grade=II |accessdate=7 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Statue Reine Victoria Hôtel ville South Shields South Tyneside 3.jpg
| commonscat = Statue of Queen Victoria, South Shields
| subject = Queen Victoria
| location =  [[South Shields]]
| date = c. 1913
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Bronze and granite
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q26525766
| notes = Originally erected with four supporting figures, now located elsewhere in South Shields<ref name="JoDarke"/><ref>{{NHLE |num=1232222 |desc=Statue of Queen Victoria|grade=II |accessdate=9 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image       = The Bather by Albert Toft, V&A London 02.jpg
| commonscat  = 
| subject     = ''The Bather''
| location    = [[Victoria and Albert Museum]]
| date        = 1915
| type        = Statue
| material = Marble
| dimensions = 
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = 
| notes = On loan from the [[Tate]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/toft/8.html|title= ''The Bather''|website= Victorian Web|accessdate= 13 November 2012}}</ref>  
}}
{{Public art row
| image =London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial 4.jpg  
| commonscat = London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial
| subject = City and Midland Bank War Memorial
| location = Upper Bank Street, [[Canary Wharf]], London 
| date = 1921
| type = Two sculptures, 14 inscribed panels and pediment 
| material = Bronze and marble
| dimensions = 
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q112127933
| notes = Sculptures represent St George and the Recording Angel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/1620 |title=War Memorials Register: Joint City and Midland Bank – WW1|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Stone 22.jpg
| commonscat = Stone War Memorial, Staffordshire
| subject = War memorial
| location = Granville Square, [[Stone, Staffordshire]] 
| date = 1921
| type = Statue on pedestal with plaques
| material = Bronze and stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q26513651
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2215 |title=War Memorials Register: Stone Serviceman|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1219085 |desc= War Memorial |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Sandon 3.jpg
| commonscat = Sandon War Memorial, Staffordshire
| subject = War memorial
| location = Sandon Estate, [[Sandon, Staffordshire]] 
| date = 1921
| type = Statue on pedestal with plaques
| material = Bronze and stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q104245206
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2960 |title=War Memorials Register: Sandon Estate|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref>      
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Chadderton War Memorial.jpg
| commonscat = Chadderton War Memorial
| subject = War memorial
| location = [[Chadderton Town Hall]], [[Greater Manchester]]
| date = 1921
| type = Statue on obelisk and base
| material = Bronze and granite
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q26320858
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2034 |title=War Memorials Register: Chadderton|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1068095 |desc= Chadderton War Memorial |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>      
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Royal Fusiliers memorial.JPG
| commonscat = Royal Fusiliers War Memorial
| subject = [[Royal Fusiliers War Memorial]]
| location =  [[Holborn]], London
| date = 1922
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Bronze and Portland stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II*
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q7374415
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2125 |title=War Memorials Register: Royal Fusiliers City of London Regiment|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref name="RFWM">{{NHLE |num=1064638 |desc= Royal Fusiliers War Memorial |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artandarchitecture.org.uk/images/conway/dfc11b74.html|title=Royal London Fusiliers' War Memorial 1914-1918|website=The Courtauld Institute of Art|access-date=10 December 2022}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Leamington Spa War Memorial.jpg
| commonscat = Royal Leamington Spa War Memorial
| subject = War memorial
| location = Euston Place, [[Royal Leamington Spa]], [[Warwickshire]] 
| date = 1922
| type = Statue on inscribed pedestal
| material = Bronze and Cornish granite
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q26661550
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2204 |title=War Memorials Register: Leamington Spa|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1381443 |desc=War Memorial|accessdate=9 October 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = War Memorial, Streatham - geograph.org.uk - 26524.jpg
| commonscat = Streatham War Memorial
| subject = [[Streatham War Memorial]]
| location = [[Streatham]], London 
| date = 1922
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Bronze and stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q32946115
| notes = <ref>{{cite book|author=Derek Boorman|title=At the Going Down of the Sun: British First World War Memorials| publisher=William Sessions Limited|year=1988|isbn=1 85072 041 X}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2216 |title=War Memorials Register: Streatham|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1440589 |desc=Streatham War Memorial|grade=II |accessdate=9 October 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = 
| commonscat = 
| subject = [[Savage Club]] war memorial
| location = [[National Liberal Club]], London
| date = 1922
| type = Plaque
| material = Stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = 
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/65279 |title=War Memorials Register: Savage Club|access-date= 21 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Benenden Monument - geograph.org.uk - 46330.jpg
| commonscat = Benenden War Memorial
| subject = War memorial
| location = [[Benenden]], [[Kent]] 
| date = 1923
| type = Sculpture on pedestal
| material = Bronze and stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q26371278
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/1541 |title=War Memorials Register: Men of Benenden - WW1 and WW2|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1085201 |desc=War Memorial |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = War Memorial, Thornton-Cleveleys (cropped).jpg
| commonscat = Thornton-Cleveleys War Memorial
| subject = [[Thornton-Cleveleys War Memorial]]
| location = [[Thornton Cleveleys]], [[Lancashire]]
| date = 1923
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Bronze and granite
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q108695758
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/570 |title=War Memorials Register: Thornton Cleveleys |access-date= 12 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1477225 |desc=Thornton Cleveleys War Memorial |access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref>      
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Oldham War Memorial.jpg
| commonscat = Oldham War Memorial
| subject = [[Oldham War Memorial]]
| location = Grounds of St Mary's Church, [[Oldham]], [[Lancashire]] 
| date = 1923
| type = Sculpture group on pedestal and base
| material = Bronze and granite
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II*
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q22115519
| notes = Architect, Thomas Taylor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/10 |title=War Memorials Register: Oldham|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1210137 |desc= Oldham War Memorial, including memorial wall, piers, gates and steps to St Mary's churchyard and forecourt walls, steps and bulstrade (south side) and railings to St Mary's Churchyard (west side) |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://artuk.org/discover/stories/remembrance-in-bronze-and-stone-memorials-of-the-first-world-war|title=Remembrance in bronze and stone: memorials of the First World War|author=Anthony McIntosh|date=7 November 2018|website=[[Art UK]]|accessdate=10 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = GKN War Memorial, Smethwick (geograph 6190503).jpg
| commonscat = 
| subject = [[GKN]] War memorial
| location = Thimblemill Recreation Ground, [[Smethwick]] 
| date = 1924
| type = Statue on pedestal and steps
| material = Bronze and stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade II
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = 
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/17499 |title=War Memorials Register: Guest, Keen and Nettlefords Works Serviceman|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1461776 |desc= Guest, Keen and Nettlefords (GKN) War Memorial |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Hall of Memory 2.jpg
| commonscat = Toft statues at Hall of Memory, Birmingham
| subject = The Armed Forces and Nursing Services 
| location = [[Hall of Memory, Birmingham]]
| date = 1923
| type = 4 Sculptures
| material = Bronze
| dimensions = 
| designation = Grade I
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q5642705
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2049 |title=War Memorials Register: Birmingham Hall of Memory|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE |num=1244943 |desc= Birmingham Hall of Memory |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>      
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Flers (Somme), monument à la 41e division britannique 3.jpg
| commonscat = Flers (Somme), monument à la 41e division britannique
| subject = 41st Division, Royal Fusiliers War Memorial
| location =  [[Flers, Somme]], France
| date = 1932
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Bronze and stone
| dimensions = 
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata =
| notes = Figure is a version of the Holborn memorial statue.<ref name="RFWM"/>
}}
{{Public art row
| image       = Bust of Frank Brangwyn, National Museum Cardiff 02.jpg
| commonscat  = Bust of Frank Brangwyn, National Museum Cardiff 
| subject     = [[Frank Brangwyn]]
| location    = [[National Museum Cardiff]]
| date        = 1937
| type        = Bust
| material = Bronze 
| dimensions = 59.0cm
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = 
| notes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://museum.wales/collections/online/object/65b8d5df-0326-3fb1-b520-8640efb31743/Sir-Frank-Brangwyn/?field0=with_images&value0=on&field1=string&value1=monet |title=Art Collection Online: Sir Frank Brangwyn|website=Amgueddfa Cymru|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>      
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Midland Bank staff memorial for World War 2.jpg
| commonscat = London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial
| subject = World War II Midland Bank Staff Memorial
| location = [[Canary Wharf]], London 
| date = Unveiled 1950
| type = Reliefs and panels
| material = Stone and marble
| dimensions = 
| designation = 
| show_wikidata= 
| wikidata = Q112127933 
| notes = Originally located in Poultry in the City of London<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/17958 |title=War Memorials Register: Midland Bank Staff WW2|access-date= 9 May 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}</ref>
}}
{{Public art footer}}

==Other works==
[[Image:Saint George statue for London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial.jpg|thumb|Saint George statue for London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial]]
* Two figures for the Union Assurance war memorial<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artandarchitecture.org.uk/images/conway/7b4a97b9.html|title=Union Assurance War Memorial|website=The Courtauld Institute of Art |access-date=10 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artandarchitecture.org.uk/images/conway/8e517237.html|title=Union Assurance War Memorial models |website=The Courtauld Institute of Art |access-date=10 December 2022}}</ref>
* Memorial to [[Charles Swinnerton Heap]], unveiled 1901, relocated to [[Walsall Town Hall]] in 1905.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/black-country-bugle/20181010/281908774099289  |title=Village Memorial Restored to Original|date=10 October 2018|newspaper=Black County Bugle|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref>
* Bronze study of the actress [[Ellaline Terriss]], 1901, held in a private collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/toft/2.html|title= Ellaline Terriss|website= Victorian Web|accessdate= 13 November 2012}}</ref>
* ''Children of the Sculptor'', 1904, this study by Toft of three of his children is held in a private collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/toft/24.html|title= ''Children of the Sculptor''|website= Victorian Web|accessdate= 13 November 2012}}</ref>
* Tomb effigy in marble of Sir John Robinson, 1930, [[St Anne's Church, Worksop]]<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1045754|desc= Church of St Anne, Worksop|accessdate= 28 January 2022|mode=cs2}}</ref>
* ''Maternity'', held in a private collection, this work is said to show the influence of the Lantéri-Dalou tradition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/toft/9c.html|title= ''Maternity''|website= Victorian Web|accessdate= 13 November 2012}}</ref>
* ''Fate-led'', [[Walker Art Gallery]], Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/toft/21.html|title= ''Fate-led''|website= Victorian Web|accessdate=13 November 2012}}</ref>

==Gallery ==
<gallery widths=200px heights=250px>
Image:Holborn Toft.jpg|Royal Fusiliers War Memorial, Holborn, London
Image:Birmingham - Hall of memory 7.JPG|The Nursing Service, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
Image:Birmingham - Hall of memory 6.JPG|The Air Force, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
Image:Birmingham - Hall of memory 4.JPG|The Royal Navy, Birmingham Hall of Memory.
Image:Birmingham - Hall of memory 3.JPG|The Army, Birmingham Hall of Memory. 
Image:EB1911 Plate IV. v24, pg.505, Fig 7.jpg|[[Antigone]].<ref>[[Encyclopædia Britannica]], ed. 1911, vol. 24, pg. 505, Plate IV.</ref>
File:Recording Angel statue for London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial.jpg|Recording Angel statue for London Joint City and Midland Bank war memorial
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
* Modelling And Sculpture by Albert Toft, Seeley, Service & Co. Limited London, 1949—A Full Account of the Various Methods and Processes Employed in These Arts

==External links==
{{Commons category|Albert Toft}}
*{{Art UK bio}}
*[http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/toft/toftov.html Toft on The Victorian Web]
*[http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Toft,_Albert_(1862-1949),_Sculptor National Archives file]
{{Albert Toft}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Toft, Albert}}
[[Category:1862 births]]
[[Category:1949 deaths]]
[[Category:19th-century English sculptors]]
[[Category:19th-century English male artists]]
[[Category:20th-century English sculptors]]
[[Category:20th-century English male artists]]
[[Category:English male sculptors]]
[[Category:People from Handsworth, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Sibling artists]]