Alfred J. Flauder (January 25, 1887 - March 1977) - The Scout

Yet another Buy-It-Now auction resulted in my acquiring this lovely copy of "The Scout" by Alfred J. Flauder and Weidlich Brothers Manufacturing Company. This is another example of a "decorative art" versus "fine art." These statues came in a several different versions and finishes, with the Indian loose as in this case, mounted to a base of various optional materials or even as part of a larger casting. I've seen this in both the copper finish represented here as well as a silver plated version, though I see far more of the silvered statues than the copper.

Alfred J. Flauder was a very prolific designer and inventor who worked for the Weidlich Brothers Manufacturing Company (1901-1950) in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  Born John Alfred Flauder on January 25, 1887 in Austria/Hungary, he emigrated to the US at an early age and settled eventually in Trumball, Connecticut. He was known professionally as Alfred J. Flauder. Mr. Flauder held over 60 patents, copyrights and design patents, all of which were assigned to the Weidlich Brothers MFG Company, for whom he was the chief designer and artist along with Louis Weidlich. Weidlich Brothers MFG Co. made a variety of high-middle end decorative and useful pieces, including hollowware and flatware for table service as well as decorative desktop items for gentlemen and higher end novelties. None of their pieces were in any way limited, but they were certainly not cheap. They made the sort of goods one would have found in early high end department stores, the equivalent of Lord & Taylor or fine gift shop today. Alfred J. Flauder died in Debary, Florida in March of 1977 at 90 years old.

Depicted here is an Indian scout. The Indian wears two feathers in his braided hair, a quiver of arrows slung across his back, a sheathed knife on his left hip, a fringed loincloth that extends around his hips in an almost demi-skirt and moccasins on his feet. He is kneeling on his right leg on a rock with left leg extended behind. He leans on a bow that is held in his right hand as his left shields his eyes from glare while he looks far off into the distance. There are small pieces of felt under both the extended foot and the rock, to keep the metal from scratching the tabletop. The condition of this piece is excellent.

This is another piece that fits well into the definition of "decorative arts." Available in many stores over many decades, this statue is not unusual to find, but is still in some demand today because it's quite well made and very eye-catching. I searched for a Scout in copper finish because it holds up better than the thin silver plating also offered. Once the silver plating tarnishes, it is almost impossible to clean without polishing through the silver to the base metal.

Enjoy!

"The Scout" by Alfred J. Flauder, copper over base metal, for Weidlich Brothers MFG Co., right

"The Scout" by Alfred J. Flauder, copper over base metal, for Weidlich Brothers MFG Co., front

"The Scout" by Alfred J. Flauder, copper over base metal, for Weidlich Brothers MFG Co., right

"The Scout" by Alfred J. Flauder, copper over base metal, for Weidlich Brothers MFG Co., back