Bronze? Old man resting sculpture

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by KSW, Jan 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM.

  1. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

    I wonder if anyone can shed light on this sculpture?
    It’s either bronze or maybe copper?
    It’s c4” across with a bracket underneath. The base is long gone if there ever was one.
    I know nothing about this sort of thing but the detail and construction look quality.
    It’s a charming scene of an old man lying down for a rest with his jug and bag surrounded by ivy leaves.
    It’s unmarked and it’s telling me it has some age to it but I have no idea how much age!
    Thankyou for looking and any thoughts on its origin or age :)
    IMG_7567.jpeg IMG_7573.jpeg IMG_7572.jpeg IMG_7571.jpeg IMG_7570.jpeg IMG_7569.jpeg IMG_7568.jpeg IMG_7566.jpeg IMG_7565.jpeg IMG_7564.jpeg
     
  2. Houseful

    Houseful Well-Known Member

    Does look like bronze. Casters often have their own recipes, yours looks as if the mix has a lot of copper in it. The darker areas are usually patinated using liver of sulphur and again possible other various personal patination mixes. It’s been polished up, the purists don’t really approve of that, it’s like cleaning up old coins to make them bright and shiny.
     
  3. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    It maybe looks like the letter D here: IMG_4181.jpeg
     
    bosko69 likes this.
  4. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Looks like Santa takin a nap-nice piece.
     
  5. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

    wlwhittier, Debora, Marote and 4 others like this.
  6. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

    Ooh, well done @sabre123 ! That was lightning quick! Thankyou, I searched and found nothing like it. Shame I haven’t got the rest but it is a lovely thing :)
     
  7. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Ditto Sabre-Great detective work.
     
  8. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

    It's a great piece. Maybe make a wood base for it. Would look amazing in the right setting
     
  9. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

    Thankyou. I’m very taken with it!
    That’s interesting. I didn’t know the ratios of metals in bronze could vary. Thankyou.
    wasn’t me I promise I learned my lesson about that a long time ago!!

    Sadly not, it’s an ivy tendril but thanks for looking :)
     
    Marote and i need help like this.
  10. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

    That’s a great idea. It’s definitely a keeper :)
     
  11. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    The ol' fella wouldn't be Rip Van Winkle...would he?
     
  12. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Think the jug sends a different message.

    Debora
     
    wlwhittier likes this.
  13. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Ahh...so Rip was a paradigm of sobriety? I didn't know that, Debora...Thanks!
     
  14. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Actually, I had to re-familiarize myself with the work; strong liquor did play a role. The motif is described as "Bacchanalian" though and the revelers are described as wearing Medieval attire. Not sure that's correct; looks a bit later to my eye but not Colonial American. One vendor gives possible attribution to Elkington & Co.

    Debora

    Screenshot 2025-01-10 at 5.47.58 PM.jpeg
     
  15. Rayo56

    Rayo56 Well-Known Member

    Honest - I wasn't resting, the deer that I was feeding kicked me in the stomach!
     
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