Antique bronze sculpture

do the base tell us about mid 1800s to early 1900s?

 

It's a strange item that is beyond me...but I see now that it is very nice !
A boy and his duck.

( btw...I have the same table and chair set, in brown,,,.)

 

Hi edyta,
Given the crossbar reinforcing that has been used on the base, I think this was designed to be attached to something else. That is was meant to be secured to something, another base, another object or something like that. Given its rather robust and solid design, I wonder if it was for use outdoors? The white stains could also indicate this.

I think the bird (duck/goose) is rather an odd choice for a cuddly bed-time animal, why not a teddy bear?

This quote from Myth Encyclopedia summarises some of the symbolism behind death and birds:
"Many myths have linked birds to the arrival of life or death. With their power of flight, these winged creatures were seen as carriers or symbols of the human soul, or as the soul itself, flying heavenward after a person died. A bird may represent both the soul of the dead and a deity at the same time."

At 40cm (16") it's smallish, but I wonder if it could be a tombstone statue or memorial/monument for a baby?

 

Thanks a lot for all answers, for all. It's very interesting reading yours ideas about boy with goose

 

Ps. If possible, goose or duck symbolize human soul? Maybe woodpecker, willow could be symbolize the way to another world. I have oil picture with these symbols. But if it is a boy with goose, maybe it is only idyllic motive?

 

Yes, all that could be true. I'm just thinking a bit differently but the duck/goose just seems a strange bedfellow.

 

Not if you're RAYO !!!! Heehehe!!!!!!

or on a bed in a barn !!

 

Interesting, looks more like a duck to me...

 

Another vote for a duck.

 

Me too. “Birds of a feather...”

 

IMO the object is a plated base metal, possibly Spelter. Pic of underside shows the “thin” plating on the edge. There was another metal plate across the entire bottom when the plating was done, so the thin plating covered the edge of that too, but didn’t adhere well to whatever metal was there.

It very likely was a cemetery item. It wasn’t cast as pure art, but as an image of a deceased child. That helps explain absence of artist and foundry marks, and the size. The missing plate included bolts or legs that fastened the object to a tombstone, and is still on the tombstone. Check local cemeteries for missing statuary, and return it if you locate the original location.

 

This sculpture now is in Great Britain, in Wales, but I don't know it is from Wales or from another place. Here is rather not traditional cemetery sculpture like this. Is it possible, this sculpture is element from a garden?

 

Yes. I think it could also have been a garden sculpture/ornament and agree with springfld about its construction and probable production.