Posted 11 years ago
Hyp-storian
(40 items)
Greetings all,
I just purchased this gorgeous Art Nouveau bronze sculpture which the (highly reputable) seller assured me was manufactured circa 1900 - 1910 and not just a finely made reproduction. He has an excellent reputation and I tended to believe him (at $600 it wasn't cheap!), but I wanted to know for SURE is if this was truly manufactured circa 1900 rather than merely a well-made "vintage" re-strike. After doing some research and some helpful comments from Cogito, I now know that it is indeed "the real deal".
It measures 7 x 4 3/4 x 4 1/4 inches, and has the expected appropriate age-wear. The base at the bottom (also solid bronze) is affixed with 4 tiny sunken screws (see pic #4).
I like this so much more than the "usual" bust (head and shoulders), and think it looks great from every angle. So I thought I'd share this with other like-minded collectors on this (helpful!) site.
Decidedly Art Nouveau in the French style. The screw bottom was likely to affix a marble base to the piece. I'm not familiar with the sculptor, though.
Here's another likely by the same artist given the similarities in signature:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4368776
Thanks, Cogito- much obliged for your input and that link!
It is indeed the same signature (and style) as mine, and confirms that mine is
a true period antique- something I was 95% certain of, but am now 100% certain.
As for the bottom, if you look closely you'll see that there's a very thin "edge"- which IS the original bronze bottom plate, and it is this that's affixed with 4 tiny sunken brass screws so that it's completely flush. There is also some age-appropriate wear on the bottom, and it is all original- never was mounted on a marble base. I took a picture of it but didn't post it because I was only permitted to post 4 pics. If you think it's important, I'll delete one of the other pics and post one of the bottom.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply!
I see what you mean now. The bottom plate is completely appropriate. You have a period piece there. I'm leaning on Austrian, but rendered in the French style. Nice.
Thanks again for your insight, Cogito- much appreciated!
Beautiful!..:-)
Thanks, Inky- my wife and I think so too!
Is that a signature along the edge of her left sleeve?
Hi Sarahoff,
Yes, it is signed "Gruber" (Franz Gruber).
I originally posted a close-up picture of his signature but replaced it with a pic of the bottom.
I agree P/D/A/M, but unfortunately I've become SO suspicious from all the fakes/forgeries/reproductions out there (especially on ebay!) that I was initially concerned that this was simply "too good to be true". In hindsight, I too feel that this was MORE than reasonably priced, and am delighted to be the proud new owner.