In the world of our grandparents and great grandparents, no home was without its bronzes. J. P. Morgan and Henry Clay Frick collected them, and even families with modest incomes could afford these commercially produced pieces.
A recent revival of interest in sculpture of all kinds has created a lively market in old bronzes as well. They are plentiful, decorative, and easy to take care of (with a feather duster).
Collecting categories:
Academic or salon sculpture. These
realistic 19th-century bronzes from Europe and America were cast in a variety of subjects -- portrait busts, prancing putti of India, laboring peasants and nudes. They provide a good starting point for beginners. Important sculptors: Jean Baptiste Carpeaus, Jules Dalou, Achille d'Orsi.
Animal sculpture. A school of French artists led by Antoine-Louis Bayre produced sculptures of horses, dogs, lions and hunting scenes that are prized for their fine modeling and realistic movement. Important artists: Pierre Jules Mene, Georges Gardet, Emanuel Fremiet, Alfred Dubucand. Attractive pieces are available starting at about $100, though name artists command more. Examples: A Mene bronze of two pointers sold for $1,100. A gilt-bronze, Ostrich Hunting in the Sahara by Dubucand, brought $4,620.
Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Popular with collectors who specialize in all designs of these periods, these styles are subject to current fashion. Art Nouveau prices have leveled off after a period of inflation. Art Deco is still in, and expensive. Bronze and ivory figures of exotic dancers by Demetre Chiparis recently brought $30,000. More modest Art Nouveau and Art Deco pieces, particularly by American designers, can be found for $500 - $5,000. Many Deco bronzes are of athletes. "Pushing men" bookends are typical and popular.
American West sculpture. The peak of this craze has passed, but prices are still very high for this area of Americana. Frederic Remington's The Norther was sold for $715,000, a record price for American sculpture of any kind. But this was the last available cast of a rare edition, and Remington is considered to be a major artist. Western sculpture by other artists is less secure investment, but of course it is also less expensive.
Museum specialties. Medieval, renaissance, baroque, Oriental and African bronzes require study and connoisseurship and attract only a few independent collectors. Expert advice is essential if you consider buying one of these.
What affects value?
Fame of artist or founder. Signatures or foundry marks should be crisp and clear. (Fakes abound.)
Edition. A rare and limited edition is more valuable than a common one. Problem: Records of most 19th-century bronzes are sketchy. Many pieces were cast literally in thousands. And the records vary for established artists. Remingtons are carefully documented, including casts made by his family after the artist's death (called estate editions). Rodins, on the other hand, were made in several different foundries, and few records exist, providing a ripe market for forgeries or pirated editions. Estate editions, though authentic, are not as valuable as those supervised by the artist.
Condition. Original condition is preferable. However, it is acceptable to have 19th-century bronzes repatinated or repaired in a reputable foundry if necessary.
Size. This is a matter of fashion. Currently, the demand (and price) are greatest for very large pieces appropriate for outdoor settings.
Spotting fakes:
Valuable bronzes, even those of contemporary artists like Henry Moore, have frequently been forged. The most common method is to make a "sur-moularge" casting from the original. The fake will be slightly smaller than the original, since bronze shrinks as it cools, but the differences are minuscule. Fakes may also vary in color, weight and clarity of detail.
Danger signals: Bronzes that have been epoxied to a marble base so you can't check the hollow interior. An unnaturally even "Hershy-bar brown" color. Color that can be removed with nail-polish remover or scratched with a fingernail. A ghost impression around the signature or foundry mark. Air bubbles, bumps and craters around the base (good 19th-century craftsmen would have handfinished such imperfections).
Seek expert advice as you learn the field. Stick to dealers and auction houses that guarantee the authenticity of the works they sell. Make sure your receipt is specific: "One bronze signed Henry Moore" says just that. It does not say the piece was made by Henry Moore.
