Dell Weston bronze - "Signal"

Well, this bronze has a happy story. It is an original piece by New Mexico artist Dell Weston, whom I had the pleasure of talking to just this evening! I had done some research through Google on Mr. Weston and found that he was the owner of Weston Art Foundry, and had sculpted smaller versions of Frederic Remington's works and cast them in bronze. He had also done many castings for other artists over the years. I found a phone number for the foundry, so I thought, 'What the heck?' and I called. Mr. Weston himself answered, and was very pleasant to speak with! It turns out that the foundry has been closed for a couple years, though he still sculpts (albeit in larger scale these days due to his eyesight). This piece is titled "Signal" and is original, number 36 of 50 and cast in 1977, and has long been sold out - he stated that it had sold out "pretty quickly." He informed me that this was an original sculpture of his (versus being just cast at his foundry), made because he "liked the pose." Well, so do I!!

I'm really thrilled to have been able to speak directly with the artist, and that he was willing to fill me in on the specifics of his work. Thank you, sir!

"Signal" by Dell Weston, 36/50, 1977, front

"Signal" by Dell Weston, 36/50, 1977, right

"Signal" by Dell Weston, 36/50, 1977, back

"Signal" by Dell Weston, 36/50, 1977, left

"Signal" by Dell Weston, 36/50, 1977, signature

Bronze Paperweight, A Complete Mystery

I bought this bronze disc with an Indian bust on both sides at an antiques store that was having a sale. The price was really low to begin with, and the sale pushed me into becoming a buyer. My thinking is that this was cast as an advertising piece and meant either as a cloth or paper weight as it's fairly heavy. There are no markings on it, no signatures or chop marks or even slogans. I have no idea who made it, when or why it was made. The sides are identical save for a bit of verdigris (which I will be taking care of during my next round of waxing) and it's in beautiful condition. If anyone knows anything about this piece, please let me know!

Unsigned Bronze Disc, side 1

Unsigned Bronze Disc, side 2

Two Small Bronzes by Tom Knapp (September 28, 1925 - July 8, 2016)

I won these two pieces through sheer luck, and missed out on a third through sheer bad luck! These were listed in individual online auctions with low "Buy It Now" prices, which I (of course) paid immediately. Had I been smarter, I'd have waited to pay until the third one was listed. When I refreshed the page, the third bronze popped up and had already sold, also through "Buy It Now". RATS!!

I am, however, absolutely thrilled that I managed to purchase these two fine small sculptures by noted (and listed) Western artist Tom Knapp. They were cast as Christmas gifts for a company to give out. They both came with descriptive cards, which I have tucked away someplace safe and have thus misplaced. The first one, titled "War Dancer", is dated 1986, though is not numbered (and I forget the edition size). The second is titled "Eagle Dancer", though this is not on the bronze itself, and is dated 1984. Both are signed "Tom Knapp" and are also inscribed "JHB", which if memory serves are the initials of the company that commissioned these gifts. The wood bases have seen some scarring, but the bronzes are in beautiful shape.

Tom Knapp (born 1925) grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and lived and worked in Ruidoso, NM for a large part of his career before moving to San Miguel, Mexico. He not only sculpts, but he used to cast his own bronzes in his back yard foundry! His work is highly regarded and widely collected. Further works and biographical information are widely available and well worth the search. I wish I could afford his sculptures. I was very lucky indeed to be at the right place and time to buy these!

Why can't I find an employer as thoughtful as these folks? Receiving these sculptures as gifts would have made me one VERY loyal employee!!

"War Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1986, front

"War Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1986, right

"War Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1986, back

"War Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1986, right

"War Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1986, signature

"War Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1986, title

"Eagle Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1984, front

"Eagle Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1984, right

"Eagle Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1984, back

"Eagle Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1984, right

"Eagle Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1984, signature

"Eagle Dancer" by Tom Knapp, bronze, 1984, dedication

Bill GirarD (May 12, 1936 - June 25, 2020) - Two Small Bronzes With Large Impact!

This pair of bronzes by New Mexico artist Bill GirarD (and no, that's not a typo) were purchased as a pair, with their respective miniature Navajo style rugs, in yet another online auction. They depict a seated man and woman wrapped in robes. The design is very sleek and modern, the execution of both is exquisite. They're not very large, but the level of detail is amazing. They are really eye catching! They each sit on a small Navajo pattern rug, though I'm not sure which is really for which. The rugs add a splash of color and really make the bronzes "pop".

I wasn't familiar with his work before I purchased these pieces, but after doing a bit of research I must say I LOVE his work! He sculpts one-of-a-kind pieces in stoneware and casts his clay sculptures in bronze. Mr. GirarD has clearly mastered both mediums. I actively lust after the one stoneware sculpture for sale online (I'm not telling you where, as I hope to own it some day) as well as the "Buffalo Dancer" and "Eagle Catcher" bronzes available through his website. They're well out of my price range, but these are what keeps me buying weekly lottery tickets like a clockwork idiot.

Born William Girard Kluck on May 12, 1936, Colonel Kluck led a life that could be held as an exemplar of a patriot. From his obituary on https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/abqjournal/obituary.aspx?n=colonel-william-kluck&pid=196415164:

    "Colonel William Girard Kluck



    Whom many of you may recognize as sculptor, Bill Girard, is now on a new, amazing adventure with     our Lord that began the morning of Thursday, June 25, 2020.

    Bill is survived by his best friend and wife, Nancy; and their two children, Tamara Lee Brand and        William Girard Kluck II. Bill loved his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Mauser Kluck and Bary                Brand. He also adored his precious grandchildren, Dylan Kluck, Dailey Kluck, Phoebe Kluck, Luke        Brand, and Jered Brand.

    Bill was born in Reno, Nevada to Chester Lee and Helen Girard Kluck on Tuesday, May 12, 1936.        He graduated from Kentucky Military Institute, Louisville, Kentucky in 1954. He was awarded a            Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Marketing from San Diego State University in 1958 and            married his Chi Omega Sweetheart, Nancy Adelle Olds, November 23, 1958.

    They began his military career with the US Air Force in December of 1958 and spent the next 23            years raising their family and traveling the globe. Bill retired in 1981 at the rank of full Colonel. His     military decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Air        Force Commendation Medal and the Royal Thailand Security Force Medal.

    Bill's talents were many and he found both success and enjoyment in a wide range of interests. After     his AF retirement he pursued a successful career as a sculptor. A master with his hands, Bill could        turn a lump of clay into a smile, a laugh, a tear. He's left a legacy of beauty in his bronzes and                stoneware.

    Bill will receive Full Military Honors at Santa Fe National Cemetery. He held firm that we should all     honor and respect those that would go above and beyond to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of            happiness."

A link to the artist's website has been added to the list at the right. It appears to be active, but hasn't been updated since 2008. I don't have much other information than what is there.

Both the man and woman are signed "Bill GirarD 1988" and numbered 11 and 12 of 500 respectively. I don't know if the edition sold out, but I do know I've never seen another set for sale. They're both in beautiful condition. They'll be staying in my collection until the bitter end!

Indian Couple by Bill GirarD, 1988, 11 and 12 of 500, front

Indian Couple by Bill GirarD, 1988, 11 and 12 of 500, back

Indian Man by Bill GirarD, 1988, 12 of 500, front

Indian Man by Bill GirarD, 1988, 12 of 500, right

Indian Man by Bill GirarD, 1988, 12 of 500, back

Indian Man by Bill GirarD, 1988, 12 of 500, left

Indian Man by Bill GirarD, 1988, 12 of 500, signature

Indian Woman by Bill GirarD, 1988, 11 of 500, front

Indian Woman by Bill GirarD, 1988, 11 of 500, right

Indian Woman by Bill GirarD, 1988, 11 of 500, back

Indian Woman by Bill GirarD, 1988, 11 of 500, left

Indian Woman by Bill GirarD, 1988, 11 of 500, signature

Indian "rugs" that accompany the bronzes

G. C. "Gerry" Wentworth (1932-1985) - "Sign Talk"

I saw this in another online auction and had to bid on it. Much to my surprise, I won! At the time, not much was "out there" on the Internet about the artist, aside from a website set up by the late artist's family with a brief biography and bronzes for sale. Apparently Mr. Wentworth, an artist from Great Falls, Montana who passed away in 1985 (far too early for a man of his talents), was a professional bronco buster and self-taught painter who turned his hand to sculpture in 1974. From what I gather, his sculptures (most of which were made of wax) were not cast in bronze during his lifetime, though that was his intention. The bronzes are being cast by his family in limited runs, and are very finely done, in my opinion. A link to the artist's website is to the right.

This sculpture, titled "Sign Talk", is signed G. C. Wentworth, dated 1974 (making it one of his earliest sculpted works) and numbered 2 of 10 (making it the first one in the series sold, as number 1 is still held by the Wentworth family). This piece is sold out, and to be honest, is one of my favorites from this artist as well. I'm very happy to have it in my collection!

"Sign Talk" by G. C. "Gerry" Wentworth, 1974, 2/10, front

"Sign Talk" by G. C. "Gerry" Wentworth, 1974, 2/10, back

"Sign Talk" by G. C. "Gerry" Wentworth, 1974, 2/10, signature

"Sign Talk" by G. C. "Gerry" Wentworth, 1974, 2/10, edition marks

Houston Scott bronze - Indian Tracker

If you've read my other posts, you'll know that I love buying art from artists who are virtually unknown today, or perhaps just never hit the big time at all. This next piece was also purchased in an online auction for a very nice price. I could not find much on artist Houston Scott other than a couple old listings for various bronzes (perhaps three in total), and a mention from a foundry that cast some pieces as well.

I call this bronze "Indian Tracker", because there is no official title on it and that's what I think is going on. It's a well-sculpted piece, even if the right arm seems to bend a bit oddly at the elbow (perhaps the original sculpture was bumped when it was being molded). I'm quite happy with it however, and the angle of the arm is only noticeable if the piece is viewed from the front. The bronze is signed but neither dated or numbered, at least not that I could find. It may be one-of-a-kind.

As always, if anyone has any information on either the artist or the sculpture, please post a comment!

Edit: I recently found a ceramic sculpture that is amazingly like this bronze, even down to some quite specific details. In fact, one of the only details that is different between the two is the position of the right arm! In the ceramic, he is pointing at the ground in a rather natural pose, versus this slightly awkward version. So which came first? Was this the sculpture from which the molds for the ceramics were made, or was the ceramic mold used to cast the wax for this piece? Personally, I think I know... I thought about doing the same thing!

"Indian Tracker" by Houston Scott, bronze, front

"Indian Tracker" by Houston Scott, bronze, right

"Indian Tracker" by Houston Scott, bronze, back

"Indian Tracker" by Houston Scott, bronze, left

"Indian Tracker" by Houston Scott, bronze, signature

Antique Russian bronze - Mongolian Hunter

Here is a bronze that I bought in an online auction that was described as "Native American", with a few blurry pictures that were hard to make out. The starting bid was almost free, so I bid on it, and no one else bid me up! When it arrived, I realized it wasn't as described, but after some research I found out that this unsigned sculpture is of Russian origin, probably dating to the late 1800's. It is gilded, and the Mongolian hunter sits on a rock crystal base, making it look like he's sitting on ice (brrr). These sculptures are apparently quite rare, and sell for quite a bit in Europe. Aside from the crack in the crystal (which does not make the base unstable), there is no apparent damage. This piece is in amazing condition, especially considering its age.

As it doesn't fit in with the theme of the rest of my collection, it is one of the few pieces that I plan to resell soon.

If anyone knows who made this well-sculpted and detailed piece, please let me know!

"Mongolian Hunter", unsigned Russian bronze, right side

"Mongolian Hunter", unsigned Russian bronze, front

"Mongolian Hunter", unsigned Russian bronze, left side

"Mongolian Hunter", unsigned Russian bronze, back