Life-sized bust of balding man with classical drapery over shoulders. Cast in shoulder: "DOCTOR BOWDITCH/ EXECUTED IN MARBLE/ BY BALL HUGHES/ FOR THE/ SOCIETY OF ARTS/ AND SCIENCES/ BOSTON." Base is a cast-on replica of a book. On sculptured book forming base: "TRAITE DE MECANIQUE CELESTE/ of La Place." Brass tag on left front of book spine: "Nathaniel Bowditch 1773-1838." After c. 1837 bust by artist.