1940s Figurative Sculptures

This is a unique sculpture made of a bulding block in limestone from Notre Dame in 1949 by Einar Norman. Gustav Einar Norman, born 12 February 1896 in Avesta, died 28 October 1950 i...

This sculpture is part of our exhibition America Coast to Coast: Artists of the 1940s. Two Figures, 1949, ebony wood, 24 x 7 x 5 inches, unsigned, but comes from Thomas' daughters ...

Terracotta bust of a young girl, the color mimicking the shadow of bronze sculptures, a feature that established the fame of the Friederich Goldscheider ceramic manufactory in Vienna...

Raffaelle "Lello" Scorzelli (Naples 1921 - Rome 1997), Portrait of Neapolitan actor Raffaele Viviani (1942) Terracotta sculpture 38 x 51 x 26 cm signed and dated 1942 on the back of...

"Man on a Stair" American Scene Social Realism WPA Mid 20th Century Modern Robert M. Cronbach (AMERICAN / NEW YORK / MISSOURI, 1908 - 2001) modernist bronze sculpture depicting a st...

Artist: Pablo Picasso, Spanish (1881 - 1973) Title: Colombe sur lit de paille, (Dove on a Straw Bed) [Ramie 79 variant] Year: 1949 Medium: White earthenware clay, white enamel brushe...

A charming, kitsch comical post-war porcelain ashtray or catchall, vide-poche. Made in Japan during the late 1940s or early 1950s. The original "Japan" label is affixed to the back. ...

Joseph Goethe was one of our finest American modernist carvers in wood. He loved to use exotic and or beautiful woods to inspire his compositions which ranged from figurative, to an...

Tête de faune Ed. 29/300 pcs 1948 White earthenware, partially polychromed and glazed 39 x 32 x 4.5 cm Numbered and stamped on the back : Madoura Plein Feu, Edition Picasso, 29/300 P...

Goldscheider - Vienna Wall mask, 1940s-50s. Original paper label at the bottom: Goldsheider. Weltmark of the keramik. Polychrome majolica terracotta, mark on the back and printed num...

Wonderful rendition of a "Mad Potter of Biloxi George Ohr" style vase by Hamilton Achille Wolf (American, 1883 - 1967). Size: 6" H x 4" W. A Post War Cali...

Nison Tregor Born in Lithuania of Polish parents, Nison Tregor studied sculpture at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts. After immigrating to the United State...

A wonderful cement sculpture cast of the artist’s Persian cat Pou Pou by American artist Harriet Whitney Frishmuth (1880-1970). Harriet was born in Philadelphia, PA, and, as a teena...

Figure of a horse , French 1940's , on a marble base appears unsigned finely carved, beautiful rendering, nice patina

An original bronze sculpture by Constantin Antonovici from his portrait series. Referenced in "Antonovici" by Uricariu & Bulat, pg 328 Antonovici was born in Neamt, Romania on Febr...

A whimsical fish sits placidly in the center of Pablo Picasso ceramic Service Poisson Plate R (“Fish” Service Plate), 1947 A.R. 21. A sweeping light blue back and a peach colored belly make up the body of the fish. Light blue fins crown the back of the fish and a delicate tail parts off the back. Dashes of yellow encircle the rim of the creamy colored bowl, brightening the entire work and creating a dreamy abstracted pattern around the fish. The colors emit a tropical sensation, reminding the viewer of the warmth of the sun and the salty taste of the ocean air. Picasso, who often riffs on ancient Greek...

Antonovici was born in Neamt, Romania on February 18, 1911, and graduated from the Fine Arts Academy in Iasi, Romania, in 1939. In 1940, Antonovici studied in Zagreb with the famous ...

A whimsical fish sits placidly in the center of Pablo Picasso ceramic Service Poisson Plate R (“Fish” Service Plate), 1947 A.R. 3. A sweeping blue back and a orange belly make up the...

A whimsical work full of glorious artistry, Pablo Picasso Chouette (Wood-Owl), 1948 A.R. 48 stands out as a magnificent ceramic. Verdant, green tendri...

Picasso Quatre Poissons Polychromes (Four Polychrome Fishes), 1947 is a wondrous mixture of color and charm. In the center of the dish are three fish, e...

A whimsical fish sits placidly in the center of Pablo Picasso ceramic Service Poisson Plate N (“Fish” Service Plate), 1947 A.R. 17. A sweeping orange back and a red belly make up the...

This sculpture is part of our exhibition America Coast to Coast: Artists of the 1930s Kossack, c. late 1930s, polychromed cedar and walnut relief sculpture, carved signature under the base of the figure, 15 x 8 x 3 1/2 inches (figure), 10 x 19 inches (board), exhibited at Zeidler's solo exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Art, November - December, 1942 (label verso), label verso reads "Kossack / cedar & walnut / Avis Zeidler" About the Sculpture Kossack is typical of Aviz Zeidler’s direct carved wood sculptures of the 1930s. The subject looks directly at the viewer, unfeeling behind a polychromed stare. Seemingly influenced by two of her major teachers, California’s Ralph Stackpole and New York’s William Zorach, Zeidler drew on primitive traditions to create what one critic described as her “gruesome wood sculptures.” Rigid, solid, and unmoving are other words that characterize Zeidler’s statues which often seem to have the deeply rooted ancient power of a totem. Zeidler’s “grimacing artificiality does, indeed, manage to hold a sense of force,” is how The San Francisco Examiner art critic put it in 1938 when describing the artist’s award-winning entry at the San Francisco Art Museum. The same words could have applied to Kossack when it was exhibited at the museum four years later. Perhaps the artist was trying to contain the power of the fearsome Kossacks, the enemy of so many Eastern European peasants, by freezing the image in wood. About the Artist Avis Zeidler (Nemkoff) was a California-based artist who is principally known for her sculpture and drawings. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin, but moved to Northern California by the late 1920s where she majored in art at Berkely and studied with Lucien Labaudt, Ray Boynton...

Maqueta las Toninas, 1944 BMY-022, 1970 Edition 1/25 Bronze 22 x 22 x 10 cm 8.6 x 8.6 x 3.9 in ABOUT THE ARTIST Narvaez was born in Porlamar, Venezuela, in 1905; he was the fifth son of eleven siblings; his parents were Jose Lorenzo Narvaez and Vicenta Rivera. Don José Lorenzo, a multifaceted and creative man, sowed the seed of creativity in his son. “My father did not fit in with his fantasies of cabinetmaker, bricklayer, master builder, and self-taught architect.”1 From an early age, Francis was led to the artistic activity, he traced, carved, made replicas of the furniture and the saints restored by his father. In 1920 he obtained his first professional assignment, a San Rafael for the Church of Carupano, and, in 1922, his father authorized him to travel to Caracas to pursue his studies as an artist. He studied at the atelier of Marcos Castillo, at of the Angel Cabre y Magriña and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Caracas, where he was introduced to the painters and intellectuals of the time. In 1928 he presented his first solo exhibition at the Club Venezuela. With the money raised from the sale of the works and the support of Monsignor Sosa, and the Ministers Centeno Grau and Arcaya, he studied in Paris on a scholarship. Once there, he enrolled at the Académie Julian, where Tito Salas, Cristóbal Rojas and Arturo Michelena had also studied. It was in Paris where, unable to work in wood, he turned to stone carving. “In Paris, I didn’t have wood, so I carved a lot in stone (…), when there were demolitions I purchased chunks of stone, I would take them to the workshop and carve them.”2 His first attempts at volumetric sculptures and painting in plain colours, linked to the thematic of American miscegenation and Creole reality, can be traced back to that first trip to Paris. During his stay in the French city, Arturo Uslar Pietri, Alfredo Boulton, and Finita Vallenilla supported the artist both financially and logistically, and in February of 1930, the trio of friends arranged another exhibition for him at the Club Venezuela. Narvaez describes his exhibition as follows: “(…) in it I feel that the sculptural work is more my own, done with more assurance, a response to my pursuit of large planes, stylisation and synthesis.”3 By then, as Boulton himself noted in his book about the artist, Narvaez departed from most of the artistic traditions that prevailed by that time in Venezuela. In 1931 he returned to Caracas and established his atelier at the Barrio Obrero in Catia. The atelier became the hub of the intellectual life of the time. “In those years, the atelier of Francisco Narvaez was the hub of the greatest Venezuelan hope. Nothing comparable to it can be found either before or since.”4 From that year onwards, exhibitions, projects, trips, and awards we multiplied. He was awarded the President of the Republic of Venezuela Prize, the National Sculpture Prize of the 1st Official Venezuelan Art Salon, and the John Boulton Prize of the 3rd Annual Venezuelan Art Salon; for the Military Academy, he produced a spectacular relief entitled La Patria. In 1945, commissioned by the architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva, he produced two groups of sculptures known as Las Toninas, both located in the O’Leary Square. There, as he himself states, he incorporates some baroque patterns into the figures to the source itself: “It is a work of balance between the decorative requirements and the sculpture of planes and angles.”5 In 1948 he was awarded the National Painting Prize. In the same year, he was called upon by the architect Carlos Raul Villanueva to participate in the project for the arts integration in the Universidad Central de Venezuela. Francisco Narvaez’s public output continued with works such as the statue of Fermín Toro, La Educacion, La Ciencia, three murals (produced by María Luisa Tovar) for the Instituto de Medicina Experimental, El Cristo; el Atleta, the equestrian statue of General Rafael Urdaneta. In 1953 he was appointed Director of the School of Plastic and Applied Arts, and in July of the same year, he exhibited “Francisco Narvaez, Maderas, Piedras y Bronces” (Francisco Narvaez, Woods, Stones and Bronzes) at the Museum of Fine Arts. Narvaez is, unquestionably, one of the great Venezuelan sculptors, his work goes through various stages and interests; as the art world evolves, the artist does not remain in his initial scopes of work. His creations are not imposed by the prevailing trends or fashion but do evolve by experimenting with new materials and interests. When one peruses the artist’s lengthy list of exhibitions, commissions, and awards, it is worth remembering the Narvaez who embark on his career as a child and who, overcoming obstacles, knew how to make the most of his curiosity. He did not settle for living off his successes. He did not remain stagnant as many creators of his environment did. Narvaez managed to understand the changes in the history of art around him. We must not overlook the fact that Francisco Narvaez is an artist amid all the changes occurring in the art world. He moves from the classics to the great transformations in the art world. It is the Europe of Picasso, Braque, Arp. He observes, he is aware of what is happening in the centres of the world of art, but between his craft and his sensitivity, the result is NARVAEZ, his stamp, and his identity. Francisco Narvaez comes from tradition, and his first stage is linked to the classics, to the exploration of his heritage, but always with his very own language. Throughout his prolific career, he knew how to remain true to himself, without disregarding the influences of his surroundings or his artistic interests: his ability as a sculptor, his selection of materials, whether they were wood, stone or bronze; his choice of the subject of his work…His mastery and great craftsmanship are a constant that over time have made him a leading player in the history of contemporary Venezuelan and world art. From his beginnings, no subject was foreign to him. His paintings, drawings, aquarelles, and sketches are testimony to his prolific output. Among his themes are portraits, our traditions, still lifes, and landscapes. Narvaez is an artist who represents his time. Later, he evolved towards purer and simpler forms, abandoning figurative art for short periods. In 1956 he declared to the newspaper El Nacional: “Every day I am freeing myself, it is a soul that frees itself from the ephemeral wrappings of the circumstantial always, as well as from the inevitable weight of the anecdote. This second stage of my work is remarkably close to abstractionism, even if there are still certain figures or figurations in the sculptures that I will shortly be showing. However, pure, and absolute abstractionism, it will treat the form itself as the sole reason for its existence on the plane of artistic excellence.”6 The artistic development was his professional life. Each period of his life as an artist, he went one step further, searching, solving, seeing plenty of things and understanding how diverse expressions were transforming themselves. His hands followed his gaze and his mind, always inquisitive. He added movement to the volumes. Arturo Uslar Pietri, “Formas Nuevas”, Cromotip editions, 1956 “Francisco Narvaez is a path: the path that Venezuelan sculpture...

Lapin, modèle 6, circa 1944-1949 Edition Leblanc-Barbedienne Bronze with a brown patina 7.5 x 4 x 2.5 cm Sandoz : Sculpteur Figuriste et Animalier 1881-1971, Catalogue Raisonné de l...

Bronze with light gold patina, 1947. Hand signed by the artist. One of seven casts. Very good condition Dimensions: Height 3.35 in ( 8,5 cm ), Width 4.92 in ( 12,5 cm ), Depth 1.97 ...

Pablo Picasso’s rendering of a white dove on a black earthenware plate is a classic example of the artist’s fascination with the bird. Although prevalent throughout his work, this do...

This ceremonial mask was created by an unknown Senufo artist from the Ivory Coast. It depicts an abstracted human face with horns and other protrusions. The wood is dark. 13" x 7" ...

Pablo Picasso Ceramic Femmes Fleurs (Women Pitcher), 1948 A.R. 50 is an elegant turned pitcher highlights the graceful form of the female nude. C...

Arieh Merzer was a prominent Israeli artist and metal worker. Arie Merzer, an artist who worked in hand-hammered copper, was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1905, the scion of a large Has...

Visage noir Moucheté, Picasso, Plate, Portrait, Naif, Multiples, Earthenware Visage noir moucheté Ed. 39/200 pcs 1948 white earthenware clay, decoration in engobes under glaze 31 x ...

"Maternity-Bacongo, Zaire," is a carved wood and glass sculpture created in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo circa 1940. The nude, woman figure rests on her knees. In her...

2 Sculptures: "The Power" & "The Glory" WPA Depression WWII era mid 20th century by Agnes Yarnall circa 1940s. Sculptor, painter, poet and artistic historian, Agnes Yarnall has, since the age of six been breathing life into her art. Renowned as a sculptor, whose commissioned portrayals of contemporary celebrities are prized. She has sculpted Judith Anderson, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Carl Sandburg...

This 18 x 9 x 4 inch carved wood sculpture is unsigned and comes directly from the artist's family. Louis 'Lou' Bunin (28 March 1904 – 17 February 1994) was an American puppeteer, artist, and pioneer of stop-motion animation in the latter half of the twentieth century. While working as a mural artist under Diego Rivera in Mexico City in 1926, Bunin created political puppet shows using marionettes...

Poisson, Georges Braque, Fish, Sculpture, Bronze, 1940's, Postwar, Valsuani Ed. 6/6 pcs Signed and numbered underneath : 6/6, cire perdue, C.Valsuani fondeur. Certificate of authent...

This gorgeous porcelain sculpture from Hutschenreuther porcelain is of two galloping horses, sculpted in exquisite detail and signed by the sculptor, Max Hermann Fritz...

This Sculpture "Hen" by William Zorach in polished bronze is numbered 3/6 although according to the artist son, only 4 were ever cast. Executed in 1946, signed on the reverse and nu...

"Dan Mask Ivory Coast" is a mask sculpted out of wood with hair and mud. Slit eyes and an opened mouth with a heart shaped face. 6" x 9" x 2" Da...

Taureau gravé, Pablo Picasso, 1940's, plate, Sculpture, Design, Bull Taureau gravé Ed. 84/200 pcs 1947 White earthenware clay, engobe decoration, engraved under yellow glaze 32 x 39...

ITZHAK SANKOWSKY "MODERNIST FACE" WOOD, SIGNED ROMANIAN-AMERICAN, C.1940 24.5 INCHES Itzhak Sankowsky was born in 1908 in Romania. He lived and was active in Philadelphia, Penn...

Very emotional sculpture by Käthe Kollwitz ( 1867-1945 ), Germany. Conceived 1940/1941. Bronze dark patinated on granite rectangular base. One of a 50 pieces, cast 1975. Signed down...

Artist: Constantin Antonovici, Romanian (1911 - 2002) Title: Sleeping Owl Year: 1947 Medium: Bronze with Patina on Marble Base, signature and number inscribed Edition: 1/9 Size: 29 i...

"Bambara Queen, Rep. Mali" is a carved wood sculpture with abstracted human and animal figures. 20" x 6" x 3" The Bambara are a Mande ethnic group native to West Africa, primarily ...

"Bobo Mask Burkina Fasso-Upper Volta" is a wood carved sculpture with painted details. It features the image of an abstracted face with a large almost elepha...

Artist: Chaim Gross, Austrian (1904 - 1991) Title: Acrobats Year: 1948 Medium: Hand-carved wood sculpture, signature and date inscribed Size: 21 in. (53.34 cm) tall

Antonovici was born in Neamt, Romania on February 18, 1911, and graduated from the Fine Arts Academy in Iasi, Romania, in 1939. In 1940, Antonovici studied in Zagreb with the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovici, until his arrest by Italian fascists...

This mask was created by an unknown artist from New Guinea. It depicts an elongated face with carved wood and cowry shells for eyes. Mask: 29 x 8 in, incl...

This statue was carved by an unknown Pende artist from Zaire. It depicts a walking man with a disc-shape on his head and large eyes. 25 3/4" x 7" sculpture The Pende people are an...

This piece is a unique variation round plate by Pablo Picasso, created in 1949. It is made with white earthenware clay plate, decoration in engobes and enamel under glaze in white an...

Created in 1947, this early Picasso ceramic is the second that artist ever produced. It is in wonderful condition and presented in a fine black wood fra...

Edward Bohlin silver mounted parade saddle. Black. Great Bohlin Stamp. Cowboy Saddle, Western Saddle. 1940s one of his most desirable periods. Bohlin of Hollywood California. He made all of the saddles and other related western gear for the movies. The Corona was custom made using the original Corona as the sample to copy. Biography Edward Bohlin (1895-1980) Edward H Bohlin Company (Established 1920) Saddlery-Saddle Maker 1895-1980 BP: Sweden LKL: Hollywood, CA. Born in Sweden in 1895, Edward Bohlin ran away from home at age 15, working his way to America on a huge four-mast schooner with dreams of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West in his head. Ed worked cattle drives around Montana before opening his first saddle shop in Cody, Wyoming where he did rope tricks in front of his shop to draw business. He met Tom Mix while performing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and Mix convinced Ed to stay and produce silver and leather items in the Los Angeles area. From his humble beginnings to his fame in Hollywood for high-end pieces, Ed crafted more than 12,000 Bohlin saddles...

William F. Boogar, Jr. Seagull Lamp 1946 Bronze approx. 15 1/4" High x 6 1/2" Wide Signed and Dated Bottom WILLIAM F. BOOGAR, Jr., the Provincetown sculp...