period bronze statue or remake?

[rockpassion]

I have bought this bronze statue of which the artist is Rudolf Hölbe but i am doubting if it is an original? So my question is is it a period bronze or a remake?It weighs 10+ kilo

 

[AU Seeker]

I would say a definite remake, here's a link to a period piece.
It's a German speaking website so I will also include the translation of the description as well.

Also it sold for 900 € (900 Euros) which is $1064.

https://www.auktionshaus-stahl.de/de/artikel/110020-rudolf-hoelbe-der-erste-kampf-um-s-dasein

"Circa 1900. Bronze, brown patina. H. 35 x W. 16 x D. 25 cm. Signed Rud. Hölbe Dr (esden), inscribed on the front: 'The First Struggle for Existence'. A nude boy sits on a naturalistic pedestal. In his left hand, he holds a piece of bread on which a fly is perched. - A few years ago, the corresponding plaster model from the estate of Hölbe's grandson was offered at auction. - German sculptor, studied at the academies in Leipzig and Dresden. From 1886, he exhibited figures of mythological or historical character and genre statuettes at German exhibitions and received numerous prizes. The Meissen manufactory acquired several figures and groups from him between 1897 and 1899. Among his major works is the colossal group 'Art' above the main entrance of the Albertinum. Lit.: Thieme/Becker 17/18, p. 202.."

 

[pepperj]

The weight and size seems correct using AI.
Though it said the value is reduced if the little fly isn't on the piece of bread.

Condition of the Fly:
The value depends heavily on the presence of the tiny fly on the bread. Because this is a separate, delicate element, many casts are missing it, which significantly lowers the value.

 

[AU Seeker]

The weight and size seems correct using AI.
Though it said the value is reduced if the little fly isn't on the piece of bread.

Condition of the Fly:
The value depends heavily on the presence of the tiny fly on the bread. Because this is a separate, delicate element, many casts are missing it, which significantly lowers the value.

The fly is there on his piece, but you can't tell it's a fly if you didn't know it was suppose to be one, also overall his piece is a crude replica of the real piece I posted, compare the two images and you will see a big difference in quailty!

 

[pepperj]

I would say a definite remake, here's a link to a period piece.
It's a German speaking website so I will also include the translation of the description as well.

Also it sold for 900 € (900 Euros) which is $1064.

https://www.auktionshaus-stahl.de/de/artikel/110020-rudolf-hoelbe-der-erste-kampf-um-s-dasein

"Circa 1900. Bronze, brown patina. H. 35 x W. 16 x D. 25 cm. Signed Rud. Hölbe Dr (esden), inscribed on the front: 'The First Struggle for Existence'. A nude boy sits on a naturalistic pedestal. In his left hand, he holds a piece of bread on which a fly is perched. - A few years ago, the corresponding plaster model from the estate of Hölbe's grandson was offered at auction. - German sculptor, studied at the academies in Leipzig and Dresden. From 1886, he exhibited figures of mythological or historical character and genre statuettes at German exhibitions and received numerous prizes. The Meissen manufactory acquired several figures and groups from him between 1897 and 1899. Among his major works is the colossal group 'Art' above the main entrance of the Albertinum. Lit.: Thieme/Becker 17/18, p. 202.."

View attachment 2243726

I think it's fair to say his little guy has a stubby where the real one has a pointy one.

 

[AU Seeker]

I think it's fair to say his little guy has a stubby where the real one has a pointy one.

I wasn't going to "pointy" that out but since you did I agree!

 

[rockpassion]

I would say a definite remake, here's a link to a period piece.
It's a German speaking website so I will also include the translation of the description as well.

Also it sold for 900 € (900 Euros) which is $1064.

https://www.auktionshaus-stahl.de/de/artikel/110020-rudolf-hoelbe-der-erste-kampf-um-s-dasein

"Circa 1900. Bronze, brown patina. H. 35 x W. 16 x D. 25 cm. Signed Rud. Hölbe Dr (esden), inscribed on the front: 'The First Struggle for Existence'. A nude boy sits on a naturalistic pedestal. In his left hand, he holds a piece of bread on which a fly is perched. - A few years ago, the corresponding plaster model from the estate of Hölbe's grandson was offered at auction. - German sculptor, studied at the academies in Leipzig and Dresden. From 1886, he exhibited figures of mythological or historical character and genre statuettes at German exhibitions and received numerous prizes. The Meissen manufactory acquired several figures and groups from him between 1897 and 1899. Among his major works is the colossal group 'Art' above the main entrance of the Albertinum. Lit.: Thieme/Becker 17/18, p. 202.."

View attachment 2243726

i saw that one too but something is off with it beause it was resold on a different platform as being plaster not bronze see: https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Der-erste-Kampf-um-s-Dasein/1FC7F544684EFBEFD1B934A61C372635

 

[rockpassion]

The weight and size seems correct using AI.
Though it said the value is reduced if the little fly isn't on the piece of bread.

Condition of the Fly:
The value depends heavily on the presence of the tiny fly on the bread. Because this is a separate, delicate element, many casts are missing it, which significantly lowers the value.

oke interesting learned something again. here is the signature on the piece

 

[rockpassion]

i have handled allot of bronze repros and they are usualy very light in weight , so why bother making a heavy bronze remake? here is one that is the same as mine but with a different patina color.

 

[rockpassion]

here some better photo's and there came some rusty wire out of the statue. and the exact weight is 10 kilo and 900 grams

 

[AU Seeker]

It's possible that yours is old but the crude nature of it tells me it's not an original piece, IMHO.

Also I'm not so sure the plaster one is the same one I found, but it could be, BUT I also found several others that were listed as bronze and some as plaster.

But the point remains that the quality on yours doesn't hold up to any of the others I found/saw, plaster or bronze.

 

[rockpassion]

It's possible that yours is old but the crude nature of it tells me it's not an original piece, IMHO.

Also I'm not so sure the plaster one is the same one I found, but it could be, BUT I also found several others that were listed as bronze and some as plaster.

But the point remains that the quality on yours doesn't hold up to any of the others I found/saw, plaster or bronze.

oke thanks

 

[rockpassion]

It's possible that yours is old but the crude nature of it tells me it's not an original piece, IMHO.

Also I'm not so sure the plaster one is the same one I found, but it could be, BUT I also found several others that were listed as bronze and some as plaster.

But the point remains that the quality on yours doesn't hold up to any of the others I found/saw, plaster or bronze.

I have solved the problem, the person where i bought the statue from, bought it from this auction and it is indeed the same statue looking at details : https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...C6v_SKwQWAdLMrkAvZBPvKdJAK4LBnjNurZIJoO8T5Keq the statue from the auction is my statue i have checked the details and they match.

 

[rockpassion]

so indeed a reproduction but a good heavy quality see:
A bronze sculpture marked "after [Artist Name]" is a reproduction, copy, or authorized recast of an original work, created later than the original and often not by the original artist's hand. It indicates the style or design is borrowed, usually to honor the artist rather than to pass as a lifetime original.
Key Details Regarding "After" Sculptures:

• Definition: The term means the piece is a copy, sometimes referred to as a "surmoulage" (a cast made from a, rather than the original mold).
• Quality & Value: These are generally less valuable than lifetime casts, though they may still be high-quality, authorized reproductions.
• Shrinkage: Due to the casting process, "after" bronzes (surmoulages) can be roughly 10% smaller than the original due to a double-shrinkage factor (5% from the mold, 5% from the bronze cooling).
• Distinction: Unlike forgeries, these are generally honest reproductions.
• Foundry Marks: They may lack original foundry marks or, in the case of authorized posthumous casts, include new foundry stamps.