MARAFFI, Calder, Eakins, Influence Sculpture 26x29x18" A young boy happily rides the surf on the back of a seal, possibly spearfishing together. Luigi Maraffi was a student of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1914 to 1922. He studied under Charles Grafly, who himself was taught by Alexander Milne Calder, Grafly honed his skills carving figurines on the Famous Philadelphia City Hall, under the direction of Calder. Eventually studying under Thomas Eakins at the Academy. PAFA considered Maraffi a crafts person and he became a fountain designer and sculptor, working in bas-relief on local buildings, & fountains. This gorgeous piece was aquired from Maraffi's daughter about 10 years ago, when she was 90ish. He exhibited at the Academy in both 1914 and 1927, & it appears his work was on display for some 10 years collectively. This piece Maraffi sculpted out of Hydro-cal & was probably in the 1927 exhibit. It is showing Art Nouveau influences, & a touch of emerging Art Deco. Note the Harriet Frishmuth hair. As his daughter suggested, this is possibly a maquette for a fountain. Signed L. Maraffi, '27 Excellent condition. He never reached the levels of fame his teachers did, but a seasoned & creative sculpture he was. Below some info on his mentors. (note) I may want to retain the copyrights to this piece. I reserve that right if your the buyer.

Grafly was born of German, Dutch and Quaker heritage and developed an interest in art at an early age. At 17 he was apprenticed to Struthers Stoneyard, at that time one of the largest stone carving ventures in the country. He spent the next four years working on the Philadelphia City Hall, carving decorations and figures under the direction of Alexander Milne Calder. In order to improve his skills at carving figures and to improve his understanding of anatomy he began attending art school, eventually studying under Thomas Eakins at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
In 1888 Grafly moved to Paris where he studied with Henri Chapu and Jean Dampt, and later gained admittance to the École des Beaux Arts, Paris. He received an Honorable Mention in the Paris Salon of 1891 for his "Mauvais Presage," now at the Detroit Institute of Art, a gold medal at the Paris Exposition, in 1900, and medals at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, Atlanta, 1895, and Philadelphia (the gold Medal of Honor, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts), 1899.

In 1892 he became instructor in sculpture at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, also filling the same chair at the Drexel University, Philadelphia. He was a founding member of the National Sculpture Society and was elected a full member of the National Academy of Design in 1905. The Museum of American Art of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts houses about 20 of Grafly's bronzes in its collection while the museum at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas possesses over two hundred of his works, mostly plaster casts. Among the many students Grafly taught were sculptors , Paul Manship, Louis Milione, Eugene Castello, Charles Harley, Nancy Coonsman, Walker Hancock, Albin Polasek and Albert Laessle. The latter two served as pall- bears at Grafly's funeral following his tragic death, in which he was struck down and killed by a hit-and-run driver.
 

DECO WIERD NUDE MARBLE SCULPTURE DeCREEFT 27x12x8", Carved marble of a semi nude mother and child. Very weird and strange mixture of human and animal. She appears to be part pussycat and reptile, has one muscular arm and one claw. The babe looking rear, appears alien. I've had this in storage over 20 years, and forgot about it until my sister asked me to get my "junk" our of her basement. It is signed J. DeCreeft. Jose Decreeft is best known for his alice in wonderland sculpture in central park, and The Poet, on the East River Dr. in Philadelphia. According to his widow, this is probably a students piece. He taught for 30 years. Still a great piece.
 

FRANK MEISLER LION CANDELHOLDERS 11x7.5x3" Early Frank Meisler cast/cut/layered/& welded metal lion sculptured candleholders. Done in classic Olde English style. His work gets quite valuable.
Frank Meisler, born in Danzig, was educated in England and graduated in Architecture at Manchester University. He settled in Israel in 1960. His home and studio are in the Artists’ quarter of the old city of Jaffa.
His limited edition sculptures and individual works of art in bronze, pewter, silver, and gold plating, have frequently been commissioned by Israel’s Prime Ministers, as well as the heads of state of other countries as presentation gifts on state occasions.
In addition to one–man exhibitions and public sculptures in many parts of the world, Meisler's work is on permanent view in his galleries in Old Jaffa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, New York, Moscow, and San Juan.
The artist has designed the interior of the first synagogue built in Moscow this century, and sculptures on the site of Russia’s National War Memorial.
Other public sculptures of his have been erected in Israel, Los Angeles, Florida, New York, Great Britain, Germany, the Ukraine, as well as other locations.

In 1999 the Czech Academy of Art awarded him the ‘Franz Kafka’ gold medal for artistic achievement.
In 2002 both the Russian and the Ukrainian Academies of Art elected him Honorary Academician.
Frank Meisler’s autobiography "On the Vistula Facing East" was published in 1996 by Andre Deutsch, London, UK, reprinted 1998.

Meisler’s work is characterized by a sense of movement and revelation – "The opening and closing of the doors of life".
It is a synthesis both powerful and personal. Every sculpture beckons you to explore its magic.



 

BESS RITTER STYLIZED MALE BUST 10x7" This piece is the work of the late Philadelphia artist Bess (May) Ritter. It is a stylized male bust, featuring a winking and laughing face. The material used is a dark brown, but flecks of biege throughout the piece lighten the gravity of the color. Prime condition excepting for a small chip in the man's pompadour. A truly unusual piece.
 

BESS RITTER DECO STYLED FEMALE BUST 10x7" This beautiful bust is the creation of the recently deceased Philadelphia artist Bess Ritter. This stylish woman sports an Art Deco inspired bob haircut, and is colored a enchanting shade of burnt orange. This piece is simply fantastic,in perfect condition and is even signed by the artist. Excellent condition.
 

STEVE SMEED CERAMIC HORN 21.5x6.5x6. Ceramic artist Steve Smeed creates ceramic horns that resonate tunes when blown into, or noise. Depends on your perspective. His creations are in Museums world wide. Signed and dated "83". This is an early one. In prisitine condition.
 

Pablo Serrano Aguilar Dali esque bronze 21x13x12" Polychrome bronze. A Dali-esque surreal guitar player, sits strumming on the crescent moon. Numbered 14/25, back of guitar.
Spanish Sculptor
Aragonese sculptor Pablo Serrano Aguilar was born in the town of Crivillén (province of Teruel) on March 10th, 1910.

His artistic education began at the San Jorge School of Fine Arts in Barcelona, between 1920 and 1925, subsequently he relocated to South America, where he lived for thirty years, in the cities of Rosario de Santa Fe in Argentina and Montevideo. In the latter he joined the "Paul Cezanne" group of artists.

In the capital of Uruguay, he was awarded the gold medal of the Salón Nacional de Artes Plásticas in 1944, 1951 and 1954, and in 1955 he was awarded the main prize of the Segundo Salón Nacional Bienal de Artes Plásticas.

He returned to Spain in 1955, thanks to the grant that accompanied the latter prize, and he won the main prize of the III Bienal Hispanoamericana de Arte held in Barcelona. He founded the "El Paso" group, to which other artists, such as the painter Manuel Viola also belonged.

Among the works he left to his native land, are: the Busto de José Gervasio Artigas, founder of Uruguay, located in the Puebla de Alborton, the great statues of San Valero and the Ángel Custodio that stand at either side of the access door to Zaragoza’s Town Hall (1965), the relief of the Venida de la Virgen del Pilar, on the façade of the Pilar Basilica of Aragon’s capital, Monumento a la labradora turolense, located in Teruel, or the sculpture Encuentro, that can be seen in the plant that Opel España has in Figueruelas (Zaragoza).

In the field of portraits we might mention those of Miguel Labordeta, José Camón Aznar, Goya, Antonio Machado or Pablo Picasso, among others.

He built three large-scale monuments, tose of Miguel de Unamuno, Benito Pérez Galdós and Gregorio Marañón.

In 1982 he was awarded the Premio Príncipe de Asturias a las Artes. In 1983, he was appointed Member of the San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts, and doctor honoris causa by the University of Zaragoza.

He died in Madrid in 1985, after bequeathing his entire body of work to Aragon, most of which is to be found in the Pablo Serrano Museum of Zaragoza.

His works can be found at the following Museums.
# Museum of Fine Arts, Montevideo (Uruguay)
# Museo de Arte de Ponce, Puerto Rico
# Museum of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
# Galleria Nazionale dell 'Arte Moderna, Rome (Italy)
# Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Venice (Italy)
# Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (Netherlands)
# Museum of Modern Art, New York
# Guggenheim Museum in New York
# Museos de Arte Contemporáneo de Madrid y Bilbao (España) Museum of Contemporary Art in Madrid and Bilbao (Spain)
# Museum of Spanish Abstract Art, Cuenca (Spain)
# Pablo Serrano Museum of Zaragoza (Spain)
# Museum of Art (Julio Gavín) Castle Larrés (Huesca)


 

Archaic Chinese Horse copy 17x24x7" Chinese horse. Austin Products sand and resin casting, 1988.
 

Early Tommy Johnson metal sculpture 24x24x12" A fantastic early TJ. It possesses the strength of an Olympian, the stealth of a Ninja, & the energy of a bolt of lightning. Acquired directly from the artist, his stuff is showing up at the better auctions & bringing more all the time. Signed TJ. '72.