Nicanor Plaza (1844-1918) - "Last of the Mohicans"

To be honest, I forget the exact details of how I came to own this antique bronze sculpture. I know I bought it online in an auction, and I know that no one bid against me, but I don't remember exactly where I got it. I've been familiar with this work for many years however, having seen many pictures of the monument since my childhood.

Nicanor Plaza was born in Santiago, Chile in 1844. In 1858 he began studying sculpture at the newly opened Academy of Fine Arts division of the Universidad de Chile. He went to Paris to study sculpture in 1863, returning to Chile nine years later to become the Director of the Academy of Fine Arts in Santiago.

This sculpture actually has two titles. It was originally (and probably best known) by the first title, "Last of the Mohicans". The story as I have read it is that in 1860, diplomats at the US Embassy in Santiago commissioned Plaza (then living in Europe) to carve a statue of an authentic Araucanian Indian as a gift for the people of Chile. Plaza, who had never even seen an Indian, copied an engraving he found in a copy of "Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper, then presented his sculpture to his patrons. It was roundly rejected because it was not representative of the local tribes it was meant to represent. Now stuck with a large stone statue languishing unsold in Chile, Plaza sold it to the government. The sculpture was promptly retitled "Caupolicán" (though according to some "Lautaro") and placed on a hill overlooking Santiago in 1873. This caused some controversy however, as the local Mapuche tribe never wore headdresses anything like the one on the statue! The monument continues to look out over the city of Santiago today.

The ironies inherent in this piece are many and subtle. Natty Bumppo (who was depicted here), the main character of "Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper, though raised among the Delaware Indians, was a white man. So as the story of this sculpture goes, a group of gringos (from the American Consulate in Chile) hired another gringo (Plaza, a descendent of Spanish settlers and not of indigenous descent himself) to sculpt a statue of an Indian to give to the native people of Chile. Plaza instead created a sculpture of a white man dressed as an Indian (it's unclear if he even read the book or understood that Bumppo was not an Indian), probably from one of the only images of an Indian he could easily find in Paris at that time, thinking that no one would notice. When the white guys at the Consulate recognized the artwork (they'd read the book too) and angrily refused the piece, the government that ruled over the Indigenous people that this was rejected as a gift for, bought the sculpture instead. They then placed it high on a hill overlooking the city and renamed it for a local heroic Indian chief who fought against the Spanish invasion and was horribly tortured to death by the same Spaniards whose descendents both created and installed the piece. The statue remains in place today, a sculpture meant to honor the local Indians, of a white man dressed as an Indian, created by a white man, commissioned and rejected by white men then purchased by another group of white men and mounted on a hill to loom over the actual Indians. The story boggles the mind.

My copy is quite old, probably dating to before WWII. It is solid bronze, the Indian being affixed to the base with very old screws. Though this is not the most faithful reproduction that I've seen, it's in really beautiful condition. I consider it very good fortune that I was in the right place at the right time to add it to my collection!

"Last of the Mohicans" by Nicanor Plaza, bronze copy, right

"Last of the Mohicans" by Nicanor Plaza, bronze copy, front

"Last of the Mohicans" by Nicanor Plaza, bronze copy, left

"Last of the Mohicans" by Nicanor Plaza, bronze copy, back

Indian Head Bookends - Solid Bronze Antiques!

I managed to buy these solid bronze Indian head bookends from a thrift store auction for a fantastic price. They are a matched pair, depicting an Indian man in a headdress looking about 1/4 turn to the right. The bookends have heavy patina due to age and are still a bit dirty. I haven't wanted to clean them as I have run out of the wax I use to keep my bronzes in top shape. They are unsigned and not marked by the foundry that made them. I've seen other bookends of the same type, even later copies made from pot metal, but few that have the depth of detail and crispness to the sculpture as these. They're quite heavy. I date them to about the 1920's, give or take. Given that the two are virtually identical, I only photographed one from all sides. Enjoy!

Indian Head Bookends, bronze, pair

Indian Head Bookend, bronze, front

Indian Head Bookend, bronze, right

Indian Head Bookend, bronze, back

Indian Head Bookend, bronze, left

Indian Head Bookend, bronze, 1/4 right

Indian Head Bookend, bronze, felted bottom

Child With Vine - Another Mystery Bronze!

Yet another early purchase was this rather unique and interesting bronze of a young child holding a growing vine. I was told it was an Indian boy, but I don't know for certain. The child has long hair and is barefoot, but could be a young boy or a girl and either Native American or Asian. Beats me! I do know it was very inexpensive and interesting enough to add to my collection, even though it's quite a bit removed from what I usually collect. I purchased this before my collection really took on some definition though. The bronze is unsigned, without identifying marks of any kind. The child is pinned to the bronze base from underneath with a solid brass rivet and was soldered down as well, though the solder has long since let go. The base of the vine rests in a hole in the base and sits in the child's hands. It can easily be removed. There is a design of some type on the child's right breast, on the shirt. This design is quite deeply incised and almost looks like the bronze was patched to fill a hole. Bizarre! Perhaps it was a decorator piece, like one would find in a furniture store...

I've had it for years, sitting on my shelf, without any idea who made it or where it came from, or even the intended model. If someone out the knows, please tell me!

Child With Vine, bronze, front

Child With Vine, bronze, left

Child With Vine, bronze, back

Child With Vine, bronze, right

Child With Vine, bronze, close up

Indian Head Plaque - Another Mystery!

This mounted bronze plaque turned up in an online auction with a very low Buy-It-Now on my birthday! I snapped it right up.

I have no information on this bronze Indian plaque. It is unsigned and has no marks on it whatsoever. The seller told me it was found in a box lot with a collection of antique tools that was purchased at a local auction. The bronze is held on to the wood with three Philips head screws through the back. I have no idea how old it is. The patina has come through in rather odd bands - it may have been partially covered for many years. I just don't know. It appears to be a copy of a much earlier plaque sculpted by someone thought to be named "Bern Schutte" (the other original plaque was signed "Bern," the original of this one was signed "Schutte") for National Cash Register as an award, around the first decade of the 1900's, just like my Lake Compounce bronze plaque posted earlier. If anyone knows where this came from or who made it, please let me know!

Indian Head Plaque on wood, bronze, specifics unknown

Saint Clair Homer II "Homma" (March 7, 1925 - August 6, 1987) - "Chief Iron Shell" Cast Iron Paperweight

I purchased this as part of a multi-piece deal from an online dealer in Western art and collectibles, with the Gordon G. Pond bronze. They were having a sale, and I really wanted it!

St. Clair Homer was a Choctaw and German sculptor who was born in Muskogee Oklahoma in 1925. His father was an Indian sculptor and his German mother taught at the Chicago Art Institute where she had been a student. He grew up in Barnsdall and Sand Springs, moving to Tulsa in 1960 where he would eventually pass away. He served in France under Patton in WWII where he continued the sculptural studies he had started before the war at James Milliken University. St. Clair had extensive academic art training. The name he signed to his works is the original form of his last name, "Homma", an Anglicization of the Choctaw word "homma" which means "red." He began his art career carving wooden cigar store Indians, but later moved on to bronze. His works concentrated on showing Indian pride. Earlier in his career he cast his own bronzes, but due to the time and effort involved he later shipped his sculptures to Rome for casting. During his career he gained great recognition and became a highly respected artist. He's still widely collected today. Saint Clair Homer II "Homma" passed away in Tulsa in 1987.

Depicted here is Iron Shell (Tukiha Maza, 1816–1896), a Brulé Lakota Sioux chief who fought against the Pawnees and in the Indian Wars and was highly respected. He died on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in 1896.

This cast iron paperweight was commissioned and cast by Precision Metalcasting, Inc. as  a gift in 1981. On the front is a very well executed and handsome relief of an Indian head, and on the back reads "Chief Iron Shell, Sioux, commissioned for and cast by PMI" and the artist's signature "Homma" with his mark.  It's a pretty rare piece, as I've only seen a couple of these (including mine) change hands. It's a fine and lovely work. I keep my eye out for Homma's sculptures, and I'm thrilled that I was able to afford this one!

"Chief Iron Shell" by St. Clair Homer II "Homma", 1981, cast iron, front

"Chief Iron Shell" by St. Clair Homer II "Homma", 1981, cast iron, back

Antique Indian Head Paperweight - Another Complete Mystery!

This was another online purchase that I got for nearly free, it was so cheap. This Indian head paperweight is made of some material that I have yet to identify. It may be bronze, pewter or even lead, though it is very hard. I haven't wanted to scratch it to find out. It's obviously quite old. The only identifying mark on it is an "A" on the back. If anyone knows where this came from, please let me know!

Indian Head Paperweight, antique, front

Indian Head Paperweight, antique, back

Bernard Kim (1942 - ) - Decorative Art Bronzes

These three bronzes were purchased in two separate auctions that were both extremely good deals. The artist, Bernard Kim (also known as Kim Bernard, in the tradition of his homeland) was born in Seoul Korea in 1942. He studied for several years under Korean sculptor Kim Man Sul before working for 12 years as a stone sculptor. He earned a scholarship to a prestigious American university where he studied stone sculpture. Upon his return to Korea, he began to work with his old mentor Kim Man Sul on a commission to create a copy of a famous Chinese bell. This changed his interest to sculpting in bronze. Influenced by Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacommetti, Bernard Kim has gone on to create many sculptures that have been shown around the world in many fine galleries. These pieces have a bit more prosaic an origin. They were made by the Bronzart Company in England as giftware. None are limited editions, indeed they're even a bit common.

First up is a standing Indian with arms crossed across his chest as he stares off at something. He's wearing a feathered headdress that flares to the sides, wide fringed buckskin chaps or pants with a long loincloth and moccasins. His braided hair hangs down his back behind the headdress. Between his feet are a feather edged shield and tomahawk. The bronze is mounted on a round red wood base. It's a very well detailed sculpture and nicely finished in a dark brown patina.

The other two are a pair of bookends made of rosewood finished wood with a bronze bust mounted to each. First is an Indian man wearing feathers in his windblown hair and a headband. The second is an Indian Wars-era cavalry trooper wearing a Western hat with a crossed sabres badge in the middle, a loose shirt and a soldier's jacket. Both bronzes are in lovely condition, the only issues being some minor scuffing around the edges of the wood. Both are signed "Kim" on the back, though I have been unable to find a date. They're probably contemporary with the previous sculpture however, most likely dating to the mid-1980's.

The standing Indian I've seen fairly often over the years, usually unattributed in an auction. The bookends are a bit less common - I've seen the individual busts for sale a couple times, but never before on the "rosewood" bases. Overall, they're quite nicely made, and considering I didn't pay much for any of them, I'm very happy to have them in my collection.

Standing Indian with Shield by Bernard Kim, 1985, bronze, front

Standing Indian with Shield by Bernard Kim, 1985, bronze, left

Standing Indian with Shield by Bernard Kim, 1985, bronze, back

Standing Indian with Shield by Bernard Kim, 1985, bronze, right

Standing Indian with Shield by Bernard Kim, 1985, bronze, signature

Indian and Cavalry Trooper Bookends by Bernard Kim, bronze, pair

Indian Bookend by Bernard Kim, bronze, front

Indian Bookend by Bernard Kim, bronze, left

Indian Bookend by Bernard Kim, bronze, right

Cavalry Trooper Bookend by Bernard Kim, bronze, front

Cavalry Trooper Bookend by Bernard Kim, bronze, left

Cavalry Trooper Bookend by Bernard Kim, bronze, right

Three Unsigned Desktop Bronzes, Vienna? Tiffany? Japan?

I purchased these three small bronze Indian warriors together in an online auction from a retired antiques dealer in Florida. I was told that they had been in his shop for many years before he closed the shop and put them in storage. My guess is that they date anywhere from the 1940's to the 1970's. I've seen similar bronzes listed as both Tiffany Studios and Vienna bronzes, but I have also seen fakes (though they were much cruder) that were made in Japan. None of these pieces are signed or hallmarked. I got an exceptional deal on them however, so I figured, 'Why not?' Perhaps some day I'll find out definitively who made them and when, but for now they sit in my display case and add to the general ambiance.

First up is an Indian warrior throwing a spear. He's wearing pants, a sash around his waist, moccasins and a feathered headband. His long hair is gathered into a ponytail on either side of his head. The condition overall is excellent, with a wonderful aged patina that is flawless.

Second in line is a screaming Indian warrior with a raised tomahawk in his right hand and a raised stick with a ball at the top (perhaps a flag pole with the flag missing?) in his left. He is wearing decorated buckskin pants with a loincloth, moccasins and a feathered headband. His hair is also gathered into wrapped pony tails on either side of his head. Once again the condition is excellent, no signs of damage or wear anywhere on the piece.

The third sculpture depicts a ferocious Indian warrior who is scowling as he crouches with a war club in his right hand and a spear in his left. He is wearing fringed buckskin pants with a loincloth, moccasins, a breast plate on his chest, feathered armbands on each arm and a feathered headband. The condition of this one leaves a bit to be desired. The bronze is missing the stud and nut to attach it to the marble base, and it was once epoxied on. The tip of the spear is bent over but fixable. The ground under the spear is bent up, and the spear itself is twisted. It looks like it took a fall at some point and bent and broke. It's not terrible damage however, nothing cracked or broke off save the stud underneath, so the repair should be fairly straightforward.

If anyone knows where these came from, please let me know!

Indian Throwing a Spear, bronze, front

Indian Throwing a Spear, bronze, right

Indian Throwing a Spear, bronze, back

Indian Throwing a Spear, bronze, left

Indian with Tomahawk and Flagpole, bronze, front

Indian with Tomahawk and Flagpole, bronze, right

Indian with Tomahawk and Flagpole, bronze, back

Indian with Tomahawk and Flagpole, bronze, left

Indian with War Club and Spear, bronze, front

Indian with War Club and Spear, bronze, right

Indian with War Club and Spear, bronze, back

Indian with War Club and Spear, bronze, better front image

Frederic Sackrider Remington (October 4, 1861 – December 26, 1909) - "The Buffalo Horse", A Modern Copy

Sometimes, no matter how much you would like to own an original casting, it's just not possible. Sometimes they're far too expensive for all but the wealthiest to buy. Sometimes there just aren't any for sale. Then sometimes there was only one cast ever made, and it's in a museum. This last is the case here.

Frederic Sackrider Remington needs no introduction to fans of Western art. His many sculptures depicting cowboys, Indians and wildlife of the Old West are iconic in fame and are held in the highest esteem. Indeed, there are several museums that specialize in collecting his works.

This sculpture, titled "The Buffalo Horse", was originally created in 1907. It depicts the traditional Plains Indian buffalo hunt, though this poor soul is having a rather rough time of it. Only one bronze was cast from the original and that resides at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. If you want to own one, you have to buy a replica. Now, I'm not one to buy reproductions in general, no matter how rare the original. But if the price is right, I say, "Why not?" This piece was mis-listed as being made of "rod irod" (sic) and had a nominal starting bid. I was certain I'd be outbid, but lo and behold, no one else even tried! These copies sell for quite a bit more than I paid for this one, so some day I should be able to make a couple bucks on it. Since my collection is something of a retirement fund, this makes me happy. So I now own a Remington copy. Enjoy!

"The Buffalo Horse" by Frederic Sackrider Remington, 1907, bronze, modern copy, front

"The Buffalo Horse" by Frederic Sackrider Remington, 1907, bronze, modern copy, right

"The Buffalo Horse" by Frederic Sackrider Remington, 1907, bronze, modern copy, back

"The Buffalo Horse" by Frederic Sackrider Remington, 1907, bronze, modern copy, left

"Eagle Dancer" - An Unsigned Modern Chinese Bronze

This bronze is a prime example of my attitude of "buy what you like". I had seen this sculpture for sale online for a few years before I found mine on the secondary market, and I really liked it even though I knew it was just a decorative piece that was cast in China. Between the face and the pose, I thought (and still think) it was a handsome work. I managed to save a bit of money buying it "used" over new, so I figured why not?

My copy has no signature or hallmark, though the newer ones available today are now signed "Milo". That's one of the portmanteau signatures used frequently by Chinese foundries when casting cheap knockoffs of works still protected by copyright.

Last year I was poking around online, checking out the websites of various sculptors for old and new works. While perusing the site of renowned artist Herb Mignery, I stumbled across a picture of his "Arapaho Dancer", a bronze produced in an edition of 9. 'Aha!' I thought, 'Here is the original of my Chinese bronze. This is what they ripped off!' The pieces are very similar, and I'm certain Mr. Mignery's original work was the basis for my dancer. The bright spark in China added the wings on the Indian's arms and the flames under his feet, thus (most likely) changing the piece just enough to avoid a copyright infringement. In all honesty, I rather prefer the copy to the original - I don't find the face of the original to be all that attractive.

While this is not an investment level bronze, it makes me happy. It sits on a shelf in my bedroom and my eyes are frequently drawn to it. If you'd like one for yourself, check the most popular online auction site and you can buy one easily.

Eagle Dancer, unsigned Chinese bronze, front

Eagle Dancer, unsigned Chinese bronze, close up

Eagle Dancer, unsigned Chinese bronze, right

Eagle Dancer, unsigned Chinese bronze, back

Eagle Dancer, unsigned Chinese bronze, left