Chryselephantine Bronze Mariner Lamp

Hi OMG,
I hope you did NOT see the ones taken five years ago when I was plutzed.
greg

 

I do NOT want that explained thank you....

 

Gosh - I didn't see alerts to any of this... Thanks, everyone!

SBSVC: Thanks for those links of figurines by J. B. Hirsch - how bizarre to see a pair of the same figure w/o faces...

But the interesting thing I found is this:

After World War I, when the French occupation closed one of Hirsch’s primary suppliers, he went to Paris and purchased that company’s molds to begin his own casting foundry. With the acquisitions of additional molds from French, German and Italian foundries, Hirsch was able to put together the finest and rarest collection of Beaux Arts, Nouveau and Deco sculptural molds in the world.

So, it seems his sailor pieces (and many others) could be based on those older French figurines. And period costume, from http://autochromes.culture.fr/index...x_hldamgallery_pi1[imgID]=12&cHash=21c178f98b

:

 

Not surprised you didn't see notices. Often I'm not notified of inbox messages either.

 

While I can't comment on the veracity of the info given, there's a pair of bookends on Worthpoint with a description that might provide some additional direction:

RARE 1930 BRONZE IVORY FACE HIRSCH WATCHMAN BOOKENDS

…these appear strongly to be the work of the artist J. Ruhl who did so many of the Hirsch bookends. It is the faces that lead me to believe that. Strong with emotion, his work.

from:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rare-1930-bronze-ivory-face-hirsch-watchman

 

Those are stunning....but I'd venture a little more ' well done ' than rare !

 

They are clearly by J.B. Hirsch even though unmarked, but none of his on the slate bases were marked. And these appear strongly to be the work of the artist J. Ruhl who did so many of the Hirsch bookends. It is the faces that lead me to believe that. Strong with emotion, his work.

I really don't know much about bronze figurines like these - but many fine pieces were unsigned.

I started to add to my previous note that the faces are very similar, although I can't verify it's the same material - I looked closely at "mine" and was surprised to see it was ivory and had a very strong patina, but some of the others are more ... milky?

LIS (like I said (I just made that up!)) I really can't verify from the images.

It seems safe to mention Hirsch - clearly, there are examples from his company - but it could also be from an older, European mold - the person who wrote the description may not have known the background of Hirsch acquiring molds. How can anyone know for sure?

Fascinating

 

Well then keep digging......but yours has the look , & ivory .....old ivory can easily acquire a patina like that...

 

Wondering the name of that French company...
fish n chips, anyone !

 

Scouts, I wonder if this lady could help:

Cheryl Krumrine at
www.antiquebookendshoppe.com

I noticed that her name popped up (as an "expert" of sorts) on a few other websites dealing with Hirsch bookends.

Her website says she doesn't do valuations, but perhaps she might have a bit more info about the company itself (and the French molds, etc.)