Large Carvings and Statues
1980? Ceramic figurine of the fox & the crow. Handpainted. 6" tall x 4" wide x 3½" deep. £12.44 from out-of-curiosity-uk on Ebay, July, '21.
FC is such a popular motif in flat art that I am glad to see it make its way into a three-dimensional object. The only helpful marking on this statue itself is "FOREIGN" stamped into the bottom of the base. The seller describes this object as "unusual, quirky, and rare."
1992 Mexican ceramic tortoise with a moving head. A scene of the hare running is painted on his back. 8" x 5½" x 4½" high. Purchased on Olivera Street in LA. Gift of Margaret Carlson Lytton, Christmas, '93.
The head of the tortoise bobs laboriously whenever he is touched. What a happy thought to paint the hare right onto the back of the tortoise!
1960? Porcelain sculpture of Krylov's "The Cook and the Cat." 8½” x 2⅛“. $41.53 from Soviet Antiques through Ebay, August, '20. One earlier copy from an unknown source?
The cook starts to prepare dinner but steps away from the kitchen for a moment. He returns to find the cat feasting on the entree in the middle of the floor. As the cat feasts on, the cook delivers a lecture on how bad a cat this is! Original box.
1990? Russian scene mostly of wood illustrating FS. There is one more hole, and something -- perhaps a vase? -- may be missing. Givt of Evgony Ponomar, Nov., '18.
What lovely shapes! FS is the unusual fable that has become a staple of Russian culture's stories, even their myths but certainly their legends.
1990? Brass statuette of FC. Wooden base. 4" diameter, 5" height. $50 from liciniogo40 through Ebay, Dec., '22.
Here is another unusual creation! The creator either made or found the two brass figures and matched them with each other by means of a single metal strip. They attend to each other perfectly. Is that a begging stance we see in the fox, with one leg folded over his chest? The swoop of his tail completes the round of this lovely piece!
2000? Metal sculpture of Wolf and Crane. Perhaps steel or aluminum? 12" high. $50 from rescuedrelics2020 through Ebay, 'Jan., '23.
What a dramatic presentation of WC! It is also a substantial piece of work! The textures of fur and feather are particularly well done, and they contrast with the smooth portions of the sculpture nicely. I believe this sculpture is a "must" for the next "fable objects" presentation!
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