About Percival Ball
Lived 1845 – 1900 (aged 55). Percival Ball was a British sculptor.
Phryne before Praxiteles, 1900. Bronze relief by Percival Ball on the facade of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Percival Ball (17 February 1845 – 4 April 1900) was an English sculptor active in Australia.
Ball was born in Westminster, London, the son of Edward Henry Ball, carver, and his wife Louisa, née Percival. He later studied at the Royal Academy of Arts schools in England winning several gold medals and prizes. Between 1865 and 1882 he exhibited 24 works at Royal Academy exhibitions. Around 1870 Ball travelled to Paris and then to Munich and Rome, where he lived for approximately eight years. His marble sculptures received high praise.
Ball came to Sydney, Australia in 1884, seeking a warmer climate to relieve his asthma and bronchitis. After six months there he moved to Melbourne, occupying a studio at Grosvenor chambers from 1888.
He died of heart failure due to asthma and bronchitis in England in 1900.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Percival Ball?
British artist (1845-1900)
When was Percival Ball born?
Percival Ball was born on 17 February 1845 in London.
When did Percival Ball die?
Percival Ball died on 4 April 1900 in England.
What was Percival Ball's occupation?
Percival Ball was a sculptor.
What nationality was Percival Ball?
Percival Ball was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Percival Ball. https://biography.guide/percival-ball/
MLA: "Percival Ball." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/percival-ball/.
Chicago: "Percival Ball." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/percival-ball/.
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