Posted 11 years ago
BigTex
(107 items)
This is another item purchased while in Prague a few years ago. I found a great little shop in the non-touristy part of town. It was run by two nice ladies that knew no English. I know only one word of Czech, "pivo" which means "beer". That will only get you so far in a junk store. All of our bargaining was done by hand gestures and writing prices down on paper. I really had fun shopping there. I only paid a few bucks for this.
This little bronze plaque measures 3 inches by 3.5 inches. I liked the detail and the person on it looked very "Freudian". Anyone here read Czech? What does it say at the bottom? While taking the pics, I saw a signature of "O. Rabl" in the lower left corner. I found nothing on the artist. While posting this, I also just noted there is a "PICHL" (?) on the lower right
There appears to never have had any attachment on the back. Any guesses on how this was used?
Read Czech? Heck we have the Internet we don't even write Czech's anymore.............sorry, I couldn't resist.
FHjr2, I tried googling the info but nothing came up. Thanks for your help though. :)
Most towns and cities have ethnic neighborhoods try finding a cafe, a bar or store where they might speak the language and take it along to be looked at. Can't hurt and asking is free.
The dedication below the portrait "Bratr Karel Vanicek / sokolsky pismak" is interesting in itself. The Bratr means 'brother' and is a title of the Sokol movement. This movement in Czechoslovakia predates the creation of the nation after WWI.
This is an interesting group that you can read about here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokol
Another perspective can be seen here:
http://www.czechgallery.com/sokol/
The title "sokolsky pismak" - the Sokol Chronicler.
Karel Vanicek (10 Feb. 1860 - 24 June 1926) was one of the founding fathers of Sokol and was the author of the Sokol Oath. He studied at the polytechnic and was the chief official at Prague post office. He was member of the board of the Czech Sokol Society, founder of the Sokol Museum (his brother Jindrich was a chief of the CSS), and author of the book Sokol Epistles. He initiated the building of Sokol headquarters at Tyrsova in Prague. The Sokol Literary Prize was established in his name in 1927.
RABL, Otomar (8. 9. 1881 Jicin - 10. 2. 1936 Prague). Czech painter and sculptor, he studied under professors Zenisek, Bukovac, Myslbek and Stursa at the Academy of Arts in Prague.
I found another here:
http://www.numismatika-havirov.cz/Aukce14/Aukce14_1901_2000.html
Med. Karel Vaníèek - písmák sokolský, portrét, sig.Rábl, Br.69x82 mm
Maybe it was minted in Pichl?
OMG Vetraio50, thank you so much. I have had this item in a box for years but had no clue what/who it was. I greatly appreciate the info. It is an interesting item.
You're welcome mate. I learnt much more about Sokol! Thank you for sharing it!
How very, very interesting!