Sculptures, Figures and Figurines

THE ITEM
Presenting this pair of beautifully stylised, Modernist brass horses mounted to the polished solid wood base is by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller. These figures carry the influences typical of the Mid Century Modern design, which would have been at the height of its popularity during the time these horses were crafted.

Mid Century Modern design influences can include an 'atomic feel' that transforms ordinary geometric shapes into curves and waves and the exaggeration of length or stylising and this influence is evident in the design of this piece. An elegant and sophisticated accent piece that would suit a room with decor themes of vintage, contemporary, Mid Century Modern and even Industrial.

CONDITION
Excellent, no damage, there is natural wear that is commensurable with age is present, please see photographs as part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm (of larger horse). Height: c. 6.1" / 15.5 cm tall (including base) x c. 4.3" / 11 cm width (from nose to tail of larger horse). Wood base: length c. 4.6" / 11.7 cm x width c. 2.8" / 7 cm
Unpackaged weight: c. 0.5 kg / 466 g

NOTES
Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Walter Bosse (November 13, 1904 – December 13, 1979) was a Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter, metalworker, and craftsman noted for his modernist bronze animal figurines. Bosse’s work grew in popularity and a number of his pieces were shown at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in 1925. He started designing for Augarten Porcelain Works (1924) as well as Goldscheider (1926) and Metzler and Ortloff (1927). In 1931, to meet increasing demand (especially in America). In the late 1940s, Bosse began experimenting with brass by giving his ceramic figures a metal coating to protect them from breakage.

He formed a partnership with Hertha Baller, whose company (the Hertha Baller Company) manufactured and marketed the brass figurines, this collaboration was called the Bosse/Baller company. In the early 1950s, Bosse and Baller began exploring a new style of brass called the “Black Gold Line” or "Black Golden Line" of brass figurines. He transitioned all of his efforts to brass and the figures became popular worldwide.

In Vienna, the Herta Baller Company continued to make and sell Bosse's designs. Bosse also collaborated with Karlsruhe State Majolika Works on a number of pottery animal figures.

This elegant and charming work of 1930s Art Deco design is by Swedish sculptor and ceramist Maggie Wibom (b.1899 - d.1961).

The gentle exaggeration in the stylised curves of this horse, both in the stance and muscles are recognised characteristics of Wibom's technique. This horse figure, in particular, is known to have been designed and created during the year Wibom was guest designer at Gefle Ceramics. The semi-matte and opaque white glaze has been used to highlight the sculpted and flowing curves of the ceramic, adding an extra dimension of personality and character to the sculpture.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild use wear, predominantly in the form of movement marks on the underside of the figure's base and which is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside of the base bears Wibom's stamp and Wiboms initial's 'MW' are inscribed into one hind leg.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 5.9" / 15 cm tall (from base to rim) x 8.3" / 21 cm in length. Depth: c. 3.9" / 10cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 0.7 kg / 722 g

NOTES
Figure will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Jonny Margareta (Maggie) Wibom (b.1899 - d.1961) was a Swedish ceramist and sculptor. Wibom studied at the Higher Art Industrial School until 1924 and was employed at Boberg's Fajansfabriek in Gävle in 1925. She designed bowls, dishes and pots often with motives in relief. In 1933-1934 she was a guest designer for Gefle Porslinsfabrik with figures and animals in stoneware. In 1936 she started at St. Eriks Lervarufabriker in Uppsala. In 1938, she started her own workshop, Stockholm's Ceramics in Stockholm, which she ran until 1950.

Her work was often composed in ceramic and she created decor such as glazed ceramic tiles with figurative compositions.

In her lifetime, she exhibited her works in a number of art galleries and museums both in Sweden and internationally. Her public works include ceramic decorations for the People's House in Gävle, a wall fountain at the cinema Aveny in Stockholm, and ceramic reliefs and wall tiles for Staffan's church in Gävle.

Other examples of Wibom's work is represented in multiple museums in Sweden such as the National Museum of Stockholm, Gävleborg County Museum, Uppland Museum as well as abroad in Trondheim Museum, Norway and Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

THE ITEM
This fantastical Art Deco stag sculpture is handmade from lampworked glass by master glass sculptor Istvan Komaromy (b.1910 - d.1975). Described as the 'Michelangelo of glass', Komaromy numbered royal families, amongst those who collected and commissioned his work.

Komaromy produced his work by hand without the use of assistants and all of his glass pieces were made using a Bunsen burner to transform solid or tubular coloured, or opaque glass rods into the most delicate shapes. A short clip of his exceptional talent at work can be seen in the archives of the British Pathe website: Istvan Komaromy - Blow Pipe Art! 1935

This elysian piece presents the stag as balancing on a black glass ball, a characteristic common to Komaromy's pieces produced in the 1950s, as is the mounting of the piece to the marble plinth. The arched, sculpted curves and stylised contours bring elegance on many levels, from the form and posture of the overall piece to details such as the delicate eyes, horns and tail. The glass itself is a blend of opaque pale blue, translucent opalescent and hairline swirls of charcoal grey, giving an overall effect of marble. 

Note: accompanying this piece is also an original brochure.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is lined with protective felt. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 9.6" /  24.5 cm tall (from horns to plinth base) x c. 4.9" /  12.5 cm width (from nose to tail). Base measurements: c. 2.9" / 7.5 cm x c. 2.9" / 7.3 cm

A BIT OF HISTORY
Komaromy was born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1910 but grew up in Budapest studying science at the university. He began making scientific glassware to sell to his fellow students for additional income, which led him to experiment with creating artistic Art Deco pieces. Komaromy showed some of his glass pieces to his University professor, who was so impressed that he persuaded Istvan to give up his scientific studies and become a glass artist. He arranged sponsorship so that Komaromy could travel to major exhibitions around Europe, at which the young glass artist was successful in winning a number of gold and silver medals (the estimate is as many as 16).

By 1935 he was visiting Britain as a celebrity artist, giving demonstrations all over the country including venues specialising in high-quality glassware, such as Harrods in London. He was featured on British Pathe News that year, making a beautiful glass figurine - a 'dancer' - and also a statue of the cameraman filming him. The short film entitled 'Istvan Komaromy - Blow Pipe Art! 1935' can be found in Pathe News archives on their website.

Komaromy would eventually move to London in 1937 and in 1939, he set up his glassworks in Croydon. He numbered several Royal families amongst those who collected and commissioned his work. In 1953 he made a leaping stag and two does on a wooden stand, known as 'The Leader' for Queen Elizabeth's coronation. It is thought that the Queen collected a number of Komaromy's pieces. Although famous for his 'dancers' - which were popular items and sold very well in specialist glass outlets, he also sculpted other classical figures, animals such as does, stags and horses. His range extended to candelabras, goblets and decanters, vases, abstract forms and complicated figure studies. He used over 200 kinds of glass, often manufactured by Pilkington's to his own recipes.

During his lifetime Komaromy frequently featured on television and radio and in art magazines; his work is held in the archives of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and in the Pilkington's Museum of Glass, as well as in the Museum for Applied Arts in Budapest, Hungary.