Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Rare Bronze Plaque Celebrating Penn Relays with Male Nudes, by Tait McKenzie

About the Item

Large and rare, this bronze bas relief plaque was created by the world's leading sculptor of young athletes for the University of Pennsylvania's Relay Carnival, now known as the Penn Relays, a prestigious track and field event for college athletes across America. It depicts four nude youths receiving the victory laurel from a seated Benjamin Franklin, founder of the university. Robert Tait McKenzie modeled the athletes in 1925 after four celebrated University runners, three of whom were also Olympic champions. This piece showcases McKenzie's skillful modeling of the human figure, and maintains an unusually gorgeous, ruddy-brown finish, as well as its original beveled walnut plaque. Modeled in 1925, this example is an especially early example, dating from 1938.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Diameter: 13 in (33.02 cm)
  • Style:
    Art Deco (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Cast
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1925-1938
  • Condition:
    Overall excellent condition; minor scuffs to walnut and bronze patina.
  • Seller Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU865114133301
More From This SellerView All
  • "Discus Thrower, " Large, Extremely Rare Bronze with Nude Male Athlete, McKenzie
    By R. Tait McKenzie 1
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    Sculpted by America’s foremost artist with a focus on the form and performance of male athletes, this masterpiece of 20th century sculpture -- especially large and rare -- depicts a nude discus thrower as he is about to hurl the disc forward. Robert Tait McKenzie...
    Category

    Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

  • "Nude and Horsedrawn Chariot, " Rare Bronze Plaque by Barbedienne
    By F. Barbedienne Foundry
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    Beautifully modeled, cast and finished, this high-relief plaque of a nude male figure followed by a four-horse chariot driven by a robed female figure was produced the famous Barbedi...
    Category

    Early 20th Century French Greek Revival Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

  • "Egyptian Water Carrier, " Large, Rare Art Deco Tile with Nude Male
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    Beautifully sculpted and glazed in tones of indigo, straw and burnt orange, this very fine and rare octagonal tile was made in Italy. Depicting a nude male water carrier in Egyptian dress, this piece gives evidence of the Western world's infatuation with all things Egyptian after the discovery of King...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Ceramic

  • "Algernon Sullivan Plaque, " Rare Bas Relief with Nude Figures by Jules Roine
    By Jules-Edouard Roiné 1
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    This rare and important relief sculpture honors Algernon Sydney Sullivan, one of the most admired and respected attorneys and civic leaders active in New York in the late 19th century. Born a Hoosier, he moved to New York by 1860, and though an ardent abolitionist, felt honor-bound to step forward to defend the sailors of the Confederate ship Savannah, captured by the Union early in the Civil War. He served in the public sector for a decade and fought the Tweed gang. Later, Sullivan created two of the more important and influential law firms in New York in his era -- one of them, Sullivan and Cromwell, continues today -- but he always remained supportive of the poor who could not afford to retain an attorney for legal assistance. In his honor, the Sullivan Fountain was erected in Van Cortlandt...
    Category

    Vintage 1920s American Beaux Arts Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Copper

  • "St. George and the Dragon", Large Bronze Relief Sculpture with Male Nude
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    Large and impressive, this bronze bas relief rondel depicts a nude St. George on his valiant horse, spearing a fearsome dragon below. The relief is bold and expressive, and the bron...
    Category

    Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

  • "Prying Coal, " Art Deco Bronze Sculptural Panel with Nude Male Miners, 1925
    By Anna von Koranyi
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    This extraordinary bronze panel by Hungarian artist Anna von Koranyi, depicting a group of nude miners working deep underground to extract coal, shows signs of Cubism and the impendi...
    Category

    Vintage 1920s Hungarian Art Deco Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

You May Also Like
  • Bronze plaque by Pal Kepenyes
    Located in Chicago, IL
    A patinated bronze round plaque in relief depicting the mythological figure of Medusa by Pal Kepenyes who was originally from Hungary but emigrated to Mexico . Ring on verso for han...
    Category

    Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Bronze Plaque depicting "Ajax"
    Located in Atlanta, GA
    A superb gilt bronze plaque of great quality depicting the Greek warrior "Ajax". Great Detail. France, circa 1880. Dimensions: Height 16" Diameter...
    Category

    Antique 1880s French Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

  • 19th Century Italian Bronze Plaque with Putti
    Located in Delft, NL
    19th century Italian bronze plaque with Putti In bas-relief bronze plaque in oak wooden frame with scene of 3 reclining putti with fruit and ...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Italian Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Pair Bronze Relief Wall Plaques Framed Woman with Cherub
    By Boston Metallic Compression Casting Co.
    Located in Lambertville, NJ
    Pair bronze relief wall plaques framed woman with cherub. By Boston Metallic Compression Casting Co. Who ever re-framed in the 1994 included a rubbin...
    Category

    Early 20th Century American Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Wire Mesh Male Nude Wall Hanging Sculpture by Eric Boyer
    Located in West Palm Beach, FL
    A life-sized, three-dimensional, figural sculpture by Eric Boyer, formed of wire mesh, into the nude male torso and legs. This piece is very lightweight, an...
    Category

    Late 20th Century American Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Wire

  • Heavy Bronze Relief Wall Plaque, “Sisters” by E T Wainwright 1898
    Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
    Heavy bronze relief wall plaque, “Sisters” by E T Wainwright 1898 An exceptional bronze plaque, set in its original 4” wide purpose made Oak Fram...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All