Question about sculpture

My Dad passed away a few years ago. I have a very old sculpture he purchased when I was very young (Now I'm 66).

I really like to find out more about this cat. The only markings I can find on it are in the pic.

Obviously it was made in 1958.

Any help on how to find the artist and learn more about it would be appreciated. I have been searching for years and thought I had found the artist. But it didn't turn out to be correct.

 

Can you post a photo of the entire statue? Always a chance someone will know the artists work by their overall style.

 

What material is the sculpture ?

 

I know I had multiple pics, but my filing system leaves a lot to be desired.

 

Looks like bronze to me.

 

George Montgomery did wild animals in bronze, kinda similar. But his are maybe a little more refined, whereas that one you have is a bit more crude in style. There’s no sculpture base to yours either... a lot of artists that became well-known included a bit of ground, a cactus, something that gave context to the piece. Could be an early work, or by an artist not well-known. Or, obviously ... not well-known by casual art lovers like me.

Can you post a pic showing that signature mark from straight overhead? Looks like an HB brand....

 

I can't get it straight overhead as the base is in the way. That is the clearest shot I could get. But I agree 100% It looks like HB and the year is '58

 

Ok, I don’t know sculptors from the 50’s... but if it’s someone that became well-known later, maybe. I’ll look around.

 

Thank you!

Is there someone I can bring it to that could help? If so, what do they charge to research this?

 

I don’t know that. I know what I know because I got dragged around western art shows by my mom, growing up. So I recognize some of the 80’s stuff... and yours made me think of Montgomery and Remington, that kind of work, but not as... finished. But I haven’t stayed with it. And when I’ve tried to follow-up on a few pieces over the years, it’s not easy because the internet hasn’t got a lot of pre-internet art documented. If it were me (and if I were motivated), I’d go to a central or university library with a big art and art history section, and look for books on wildlife and bronze sculpture from the ‘50’s. I’d start with American, but that’s just my feeling. I’d also find out if it is, in fact, bronze— hit it with a piece of wood: if it makes a kind of reverberating “bong” sound, it is; if it’s a dull thud, it isn’t.

If you figure it out, I’d enjoy hearing about it. Good luck!

Edit: I forgot to suggest, the authors or historians referenced in such books are the likeliest to recognized your sculptor. So in a round-about way, you may find the best expertise on who would know or could find out for you.

 

Interesting. The oxidation could be from the age. It is 62 years old. I am aware that old does not mean valuable. He is the story....

My Father brought this home. He purchased it from a street artist and he liked it. As the story goes, the artist became better known. So my Father brought the statue back to him and asked him to sign it. The artist said it was his first piece and wanted it back. My Father refused and the artist refused to sign it.

My Father passed away many years ago. I have always had an interest in the Cat. I thought the HB and 58 was the signature. I am now 66 and would like to see if I can solve this. I am not sure how much of the above story is true.

 

I found this: Provenance Research
provenance@guggenheim.org

I'll have to find out what the cost for this service is.

 

I will have to ask what they get to research this. I imagine it could run into a lot of time and therefore $$$

 

I sent 2 emails. No reply. Sort of frustrating.

 

Here's another place to try. I've been impressed with the assortment of things they've identified

https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing?

 

Thanks. I was reading the guidelines.

Seems they do not allow art. From the site:
Ineligible Topics
Certain physical objects are explicitly disallowed:

• Most items* that have a specialized sub in the other helpful subreddits list.
• Animals of any kind, including insects, remains, bones, etc.
• Any kind of symbols - be it brand logos, stickers, tattoos, graffiti, occult, jewelry, maker's marks, etc.
• Mold
• Art

 

Dang, stupid rules get you every time lol.

Try this one https://www.reddit.com/r/WhatIsThisPainting?

 

Update: I also sent an email with pics to Eric Silver form the Antique Road show. He replied “No idea.”

 

Looks like an art school project to me. Interesting though.

 

Stuff much uglier has gone for big money.

My issue is most sites are geared to give a value, not information.