Description:
Henry van Wolf (German/American, 1898-1982)
Large Bronze Figure of an Elephant and Riders Being Attacked by Lions, the elephant with riders fending off an attacking lion, the elephant striding over a prone horseman, cast by Ferdinand von Miller II (German, 1842-1929),incised signatures on base "Ferd. v. Miller jun. fudit. Munchen Wolf inv. et mod.," ht. 22, wd. 26; together with a large classical-style green and pink marble pedestal with wide oval top, ht. approx. 43 in.
Note: Ferdinand von Miller was the son of the founder of the Royal [Bavarian] Bronze Foundry, and carried on his father's footsteps. He was also a sculptor himself. He sent many prominent works to the United States, including the Sinton fountain in Cincinnati, and a war memorial in Charleston. Henry von Wolf was born in Germany, and studied bronze art under von Miller before emigrating to the United States, and becoming a U.S. citizen.
Estimate $8,000-12,000
Bronze in very fine condition throughout. Pedestal base with some minor edge chipping. Spear missing.