Important South African & International Art, Decorative Arts & Jewellery

Live Auction, 14 March 2016

Session 4

Sold for

ZAR 397 880
Lot 450
  • Anton van Wouw; The Bushman Hunter
  • Anton van Wouw; The Bushman Hunter
  • Anton van Wouw; The Bushman Hunter


Lot Estimate
ZAR 350 000 - 450 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 397 880

About this Item

South African 1862-1945
The Bushman Hunter

signed and indistinctly dated 1902

bronze with a dark brown patina
height: 48,5cm

Notes

“…through his smaller works [van Wouw] reached heights of sculptural expression which he seldom attained in his monumental works.”1

Anton van Wouw’s smaller sculptures were produced out of his own will, in contrast to his larger, monumental works which were usually commissions. It is apparent in these sculptures the enjoyment he took in their production and the consequent effort that he devoted, resulting in the superior quality of rendering and finish inherent therein.

The model for this sculpture was a Bushman named Korhaan. At the time that Van Wouw produced the sculpture Korhaan lived with him for a year working as domestic help and model. After this he went into the employ of a man who took him to America where he was exhibited as a human rarity and, ultimately, he ended up at Barnum and Bailey’s circus where he remained for over 30 years.

1 Duffey, A.E. (2008) Anton van Wouw: The Smaller Works, Pretoria: Protea Book House. Page 9

Literature

cf. AE Duffey. (2008) Anton van Wouw: The Smaller Works, Pretoria: Protea Book House. Similar examples are illustrated on pages 36 to 38.

cf. Joy Ernst. (2006) Anton van Wouw: A Biography, Vanderbijlpark: Corals Publishers. Another example from the edition is illustrated on page 66.

cf. Stephan Welz. (1989) Art at Auction in South Africa: Twenty Years of Sotheby's/Stephan Welz & Co 1969 - 1989, Johannesburg: AD Donker. Another example from the edition is illustrated on page 68.

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