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Antiques & Collectibles

Help Identifying Old Metalware Bird Sculpture

14 years ago

I recently aquired this metalware sculpture and would like to know more about it. I liked it because I think it is a couple of Hoopoe birds and I have collected old prints and other artwork depicting this cool bird.

The woman I got the sculpture from said that it came with a lot of antiques that were mostly of French origin. She said she thought it was a zinc cast with some copper.

I would appreciate any thoughts at all on what this is or where it might have come from. I'm guessing that it was attached to some sort of base at one time, and after inspection I can see no marks of any kind. I have other pictures if that would help.

This is my first posting so I am not sure how to add pictures, so it make take a couple of trys.

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Comments (13)

blakelea
Original Author
14 years ago
http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/blakelea/?action=viewÂ¤t=HoopoeSculpture6.jpg
http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/blakelea/?action=view&current=HoopoeSculpture2.jpg
http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/blakelea/?action=view&current=HoopoeSculpture.jpg
lindac
14 years ago
Copy the html...the tag line and put that into the body of your message. The text in that line comtains the word img.
Linda C
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You might get some help in the Antiques forum here. Sounds interesting! I'll keep an eye out in case you go over there and post a photo, I'd love to see what it looks like!
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blakelea
Original Author
14 years ago
suzieque
14 years ago
That's beautiful! Can't help you with info, but I love it.
lindac
14 years ago
Oh Wow!...it's fabulous! Does it hold a magnet?
Likely it's spelter....but prehaps it's bronze.
Any spot that might indicate an artist or a atelier?
Looks like a couple of Hoopoe to me too.
Linda C
blakelea
Original Author
14 years ago
I went over the piece again to look for any markings and found none. No luck with the magnet. I read somewhere about identifying the metal by a sound test when it is tapped. Guess I will see what I can find out about that. I did find some info on French Animaliers and see there were a couple who did birds.
Mostly I like the piece because of the Hoopoe depiction. I think they are close to actual size. The piece measures from tail to wing span about 12x12.
lindac
14 years ago
Can you scratch on the bottom...just a tiny scratch and see what color the metal is?
Linda C
antiquesilver
14 years ago
The only thing I know about it is: It's gorgeous & I want it!!!!
blakelea
Original Author
14 years ago
I took a photo of the underside of the casting and also one showing one of my other hoopoe pieces. I tried the little scratch test, but couldn't really tell anything. The redish tinges in the photos are what I mentioned might be some copper chasing (don't think that is quite the right term). Also, there is at least one repair on the tail of the top hoopoe. It must have broken off and someone did a little metal surgery. All in all I am happy with trading some of my excess sterling for the piece.

TTFN - Lisa
sweeby
14 years ago
Lovely piece! It does appear to be of the French Animalier school - perhaps Moigniez or Bayre? I have a pair of Moigniez game birds set onto lamp bases, and they're fabulous, wonderful pieces.

Enjoy!
alisande
14 years ago
I never heard of the hoopoe, but they're gorgeous!!
lindac
14 years ago
It's very wonderful....but I am having a little problem with the term "excess sterling".....
Does one ever have enough?? Excess? I don't understand that....it's like the term "too much cocolate"
Linda c
blakelea
Original Author
14 years ago
Maybe "excess" is the wrong term. I probably should have said duplicates or pieces I am no longer enamored with. I am getting a lot more enjoyment out of looking at my hoopoes than I was out of the unloved pieces of silver sitting in my give away bucket. Sometimes you just have to upgrade, especially now that I no longer have a high powered job.
I like chocolate too, but don't think I could live on it.

Cheers - Lisa

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