Imperial Infantryman Bronze Sculpture

[nzef1940]

New to my collection:

Large bronze sculpture of a 19th century Imperial German Army Infantryman, weighing 3,75kg and measuring 44cm in height, from the 1890s, the figure depicts a soldier wearing a pre-1890 tunic with marksmanship lanyard and bearing a Gewehr 1888 with matching M1888 cartridge pouches, the pack, bayonet, entrenching tool, bread bag and water bottle are all nicely detailed, the Pickelhaube has both cockades and the soldier has high marching boots, the figure's base is signed with the artist's name and bottom is marked 29.1.89 (presumably the date), the foundry is unknown, sculpture shows wear and patina from long display and handling.

 

[nzef1940]

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[Kaiser Wilhelm II]

Very nice piece, fantastic for making displays look great.

 

[John Josef]

One-word BEAUTIFUL

Your on a roll.

 

[KAGGR#1]

New to my collection:

Large bronze sculpture of a 19th century Imperial German Army Infantryman, weighing 3,75kg and measuring 44cm in height, from the 1890s, the figure depicts a soldier wearing a pre-1890 tunic with marksmanship lanyard and bearing a Gewehr 1888 with matching M1888 cartridge pouches, the pack, bayonet, entrenching tool, bread bag and water bottle are all nicely detailed, the Pickelhaube has both cockades and the soldier has high marching boots, the figure's base is signed with the artist's name and bottom is marked 29.1.89 (presumably the date), the foundry is unknown, sculpture shows wear and patina from long display and handling.

Prussian I R 21 ?
Steve

 

[John Josef]

Prussian I R 21 ?
Steve

That's what the boards show.

If you look at the bottom you will notice two holes, I'd bet it was once mounted on a marble base and had an engraved plaque. Most likely it was given as a gift to a retiring officer or as a prize.

Maybe a shooting prize going by the lanyard he is wearing.

Great piece

 

[poniatowski]

Super!

 

[b.loree]

A very, very nice piece to have in one's collection! I see the number 2 on the shoulder straps and I wonder if this was a custom detail which could be added for the buyer?? Excellent bronze!

 

[nzef1940]

That's what the boards show.

If you look at the bottom you will notice two holes, I'd bet it was once mounted on a marble base and had an engraved plaque. Most likely it was given as a gift to a retiring officer or as a prize.

Maybe a shooting prize going by the lanyard he is wearing.

Great piece

I agree it would have had a base and a dedication plaque of some sort originally now sadly lost to history.

 

[nzef1940]

A very, very nice piece to have in one's collection! I see the number 2 on the shoulder straps and I wonder if this was a custom detail which could be added for the buyer?? Excellent bronze!

I suspect the unit numbering was a custom feature, it is 21.

I have not seen this particular moulded figure before and am curious if other collectors have?

 

[Stosstrupp]

Great piece

 

[Mr. Bean]

Very nice statue, quality and details are amazing.

 

[John Josef]

I suspect the unit numbering was a custom feature, it is 21.

I have not seen this particular moulded figure before and am curious if other collectors have?

I would agree that would be made to order; I've definitely seen it before.

I'm sure I have an old period magazine around somewhere with an advertisement for statues. I enjoy ready the period stuff and looking at the ads in the back where you could make private purchases of items for the field like flashlights and personal items.

If I find it, I will definitely make you a copy of the add.

 

[JohnS3rd]

Very nice example of old world artistry! Wonderfully displayed with a period pickelhaube.
Best regards
John

 

[Peter B]

Love that statue!

 

[LangeKerl]

Congrats, it's a nice bronze.

I did the write-up for Mike at VG, and he told me before the SOS that it was heading "down south".