Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

American School Art Deco Bronze Sculpture “Hercules The Hydra” ca. 1940s

$13,500
£10,157.87
€11,735.44
CA$18,953.70
A$20,476.21
CHF 10,893.54
MX$246,384.54
NOK 137,935.29
SEK 126,145.58
DKK 87,669.58

About the Item

ART DECO United States, circa 1940s Hercules and the Lernean Hydra Patinated bronze unsigned designed as a fountain Item # 410TUG09E Stark, minimal and thoroughly modernist, this very fine and imposing sculpture captures the very essence of Hercules in his labors. His body is ensnared and entwined with the six-headed Lernean Hydra, its coiled body wrapped around his powerful legs and coiled around his arms where Hercules grasps them by the neck. Everything about the hero is modeled larger than life, a showcase of his raw and almost unbridled power. Muscles are strained and taut as his expression remains mechanical and undaunted. This model is perhaps unique, as we have found no counterparts to it. It was cleverly designed with an internal tube system that allows it to operate as a fountain: water shoots from the six mouths of the hydra and the eight mouths of sea creatures raising the octagonal base with its beveled edge. The loose modeling and highly impressionistic surface are dramatic and replete with texture, catching and reflecing light from every direction. An extraordinary example. Measurements: 31 3/4" H x 8 1/8" base diameter Condition Report: Light wear to the original patina, including a few spots of the heads of the Hydra and raised elements here and there. Carefully cleaned and all oxidization carefully deactivated before sealing in a conservator's grade of wax. Trace verdigris and discoloration. Ready to place. About silla antiques art Established in 2009, we have available in our 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery an ever-changing selection of carefully curated and catalogued furniture, decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and estate jewelry. Our company has long specialized in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display. The gallery is located at 117 W Burd Street in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and is open by appointment only. We welcome your visit and would love to meet with you at the shop. For clients located outside of the area, we are always available to discuss items by video conferencing or by phone.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31.75 in (80.65 cm)Width: 8.13 in (20.66 cm)Depth: 8.13 in (20.66 cm)
  • Style:
    Art Deco (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1940
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Shippensburg, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 410TUG09E1stDibs: LU1059042366122

More From This Seller

View All
German Bronze Sculpture of “Hercules Stymphalian Birds” by Joseph Uphues
By Gladenbeck Foundry
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A fluid and sinuous depiction of Hercules the moment after releasing an arrow from his bow to kill the Stymphalian birds, it was one of Joseph Uphues'...
Category

20th Century German Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

French Art Deco Bronze Sculpture of a Warrior by Ernest Diosi, circa 1940
Located in Shippensburg, PA
An incredibly powerful Art Deco figure of a Standing Warrior poised for battle, he is a picture of sheer determination and will. Wind blows his hair behind him as every muscle in his...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

“The Lock” Antique Art Deco French Bronze Sculpture by Pierre Le Faguays
By Pierre Le Faguays
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PIERRE LE FAGUAYS French, 1892-1962 "The Lock" Verdigris patinated bronze signed verso P Le Faguays, sealed with LN Paris foundry cachet Cold-stamped BRONZE and numbered 118 28 1/2" W x 8" D x 16 7/8" H An incredibly fine example of "The Lock" by Pierre Le Faguays, the model is a perfect embodiment of essence of the Art Deco period capturing a canal worker at the moment of full torsion as he uses the weight of his body to rotate the huge wooden lever. Cast by the foundry of J. Lehmann, stamped to the reverse with his circular cachet noting "LN Paris JL" (which stands for "Les neveux de J. Lehmann"), the present example is the large version of this model and a difficult example to find. It features a fabulous surface texture and complex overall verde patination with hints of brown, caramel, black and yellow. PIERRE LE FAGUAYS Born in 1892 in Nantes, France, Pierre Le Faguays would become famous for his contribution to the Art Deco movement. His education under the guidance of James Vibert at the Geneva University of Art and Design was pivotal in shaping his artistic style. Le Faguays' work began to gain recognition shortly after his first exhibition at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1922, a key event that marked the onset of his most productive years. In 1926 and 1927, Le Faguays received honorable mentions that served as public acknowledgments of his growing stature. His choice of materials was diverse, ranging from bronze and terracotta to more exotic mediums like ivory and alabaster. His sculptures often depicted lithe female figures and many of his models are reportedly influenced by the terracotta figurines of ancient Tanagra in Greece. Le Faguays regularly collaborated with his peers in the burgeoning and highly active artistic community in France, contemporaries that were also working to promote the new modernist vision that became recognized as the Art Deco movement. He co-founded the "Stele and Evolution Group" with Maurice Bouraine, working alongside artists such as Sibylle May...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Large 36” French Bronze Sculpture of Warrior “Vainqueur” by Eugene Marioton
By Eugene Marioton
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EUGENE MARIOTON French, 1857-1933 "Vainqueur" Dark-brown patinated bronze signed "E. Marioton", foundry cachet for Siot-Decauville, cold-stamped D718 cast circa 1910 stock ref. ...
Category

20th Century French Romantic Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Italian Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Ludovisi Mars Ares after Antiquity
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GRAND TOUR Italian, circa mid-to-late 19th century Ludovisi Mars, After the Antique Patinated bronze raised on an original marble plinth 13 1/2" H x 6 3/8" D x 4 3/4" W (total in...
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

1880s French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Find in Pompeii!” by Hippolyte Moulin
By Thiebaut Freres
Located in Shippensburg, PA
HIPPOLYTE ALEXANDRE JULIEN MOULIN French, 1832-1884 "Une Trouvaille à Pompéi" (A Find in Pompeii) Sand-cast and patinated bronze Signed on base "Moulin", sealed with foundry cache...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Romantic Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

You May Also Like

Mid-20th Century Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Hercules – 1950s
Located in Madrid, ES
Impressive bronze sculpture depicting Hercules, finely cast and patinated in black, dating to the 1950s. The figure is portrayed in a powerful, dynamic pose, emphasizing strength and...
Category

Vintage 1950s Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

E. Aurelio italian Art Deco brown bronze male circa 1930
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture in italian bronze signed E. Aurelio Art deco circa 1930 depicting naked boy sitting on edge of cliff.
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian International Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

"Apollo", Large Art Deco Bronze Sculpture w/ Male Nude for Ocean Liner, 1948
By M. Mascherini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
One of the great, indisputable masterpieces of Marcello Mascherini's career, and one of his relatively early works, this large bronze depicting Apollo with his lyre was made for the ...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Monumental Bronze Sculpture of Laocoön, Italy, 1950s
Located in Madrid, ES
An extraordinary monumental bronze sculpture depicting the iconic figure of Laocoön and his sons, inspired by the classical Hellenistic masterpiece. Cast in Italy during the 1950s, t...
Category

Vintage 1950s Statues

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Sailor Patinated Bronze Sculpture Signed "MEURICE", Circa 1940 s
By Meurice
Located in Beirut, LB
French Art Deco patinated bronze sculpture from circa 1930, celebrating the heroic figure of a Sailor or Navigator at sea. The muscular male nude is captured in a dramatic, powerful ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Hercules Bronze
Located in Southall, GB
A French bronze of Hercules. This wonderful piece depicts the great battle of the Lernaean Hydra monster, the multi-headed beast. As one head was severed by Hercules, two more took i...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze