Can anyone identify this figure???

Hi, this is my first post - so please be kind. I was given this rather odd figurine by a neighbor that had no idea what it was - I really do not either? I have searched on-line and on all the popular sites, Ebay, etc- still have no clue what this is supposed to depict? For reference it is 10" high, 7" wide (base)


To me, it looks like 2 men exercising, one is holding the other's foot. But, both men look like Aliens and it is heavy - very solid, I'm thinking brass? It is just odd, and I have never seen anything like it - if anyone has any idea of what it is or what it represents, I'm very curious. Thank you.

 

2 acrobats.......?

 

awww thanks - that's a start - it is just such a weird, strange little figurine - still trying to find anything similar, in any material, it's got me stumped

 

At first glance it reminds me of a boot scraper, however, I see no method of anchoring. It might also be a door stop.

 

Yeah, if anything.... but it looks a little too small and (shall I say delicate?) for a door stopper, usually, they are a big larger and hunkier/bulky... I use it as a paperweight - it can also just be a weird item of interest on a shelf - no one that has come to my home has any idea what it is or what the heck these weird little guys are doing?? I'm truly, truly, stumped - if anyone has ever seen a picture of this position or knows what these weirdos are up to - please lemme know!

 

Of course, happy to - here are more photos - more angles - I really have no clue - thanks for looking!!

 

Oh, I see what you mean, it does have a small hole in it - here are some different pics - even if it was broken or re-soldered, would it have originally just been just 2 strange men looking at each other? and it was fixed - why the super strange position? One man holding another man's foot? I'm baffled - but mostly just curious. Background: my neighbor found it somewhere (thriftshop?) and was selling it at her yardsale for $4 - there were no takers so she ended up giving it to me - everyone that has seen it, thinks it's super weird and have no idea - what? why? hmmm? etc.

 

P.S. the men are both balancing on the balls of their feet? And - now I'm not sure if it was broken or re-done because the man that's holding the foot has his hand curved and ready as if he's always been holding this foot - it appears very purposeful that is what he is meant to be doing? holding this man's foot?
sorry if this is driving you bonkers - it's my first submission (photo/question) and I do have some other (completely different mediums) art works or object that I cannot identify for the life of me - after multiple searches and researching.

 

faces of both

 

I think if it was made by a serious artist, it would have been signed in some way. It may be an art student's project. It looks like it may be a lost wax casting. (A model was made in wax, a mold built around it, the wax melted out, and the molten metal poured into the space.) The mold would have been upside down for the pouring - you can see the 2 pouring holes on the base. It might have been difficult to cast the horizontal leg in the same pour, so it may have been made separately and then soldered on. As to what they are doing, who knows? It's art.

 

Thank you - I think you have it all nicely summed up. I did not think it was made by a serious artist and really have no interest of the value - it's just a very odd piece - I kinda like that no one can explain it or figure out what it is - even if it was 2 guys - they are strange looking and standing on their toes?? and the guy that is holding the foot does have a well-intentioned grip - his hand is nicely rounded over the foot/ankle. They could by gymnasts'? or dancers? I do have other pieces that I have never seen before anywhere else and I'm excited to post them to see what they are. Thank you again.

 

Welcome to Antiquers, @Petunia -- What a conversation piece! Thanks for sharing it.

 

Thank you - It is so weird... I wish I could understand what the overall purpose is here...or I could find a similar picture or position or piece. This site is so much fun- so glad I found all of you!! If someone found something similar, I'd be floored

 

I have to say that first picture caught me off guard......lol..... I think you can see why .....