Tall Cat (Gato Estirado/Gato en Dos Patas)
Sculpture, free-standing figurine • Style of Leonora Carrington or manner of Alice Rahon; notably consistent with Mexican Surrealist bronze miniatures.
Style & Movement
Surrealism / Mid-Century Modernism
Medium & Technique
Cast bronze with a smooth brown/ochre patina, mounted on a polished granite or mottled stone base. The technique involves lost-wax casting (cire perdue).
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1950-1970)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10-14 inches in height (including base); vertical/pillar format.
Subject Description
An elongated, anthropomorphic feline figure standing upright on its hind legs. The paws are raised in a gesture resembling prayer or curiosity. The facial features are minimalist with sunken, circular eyes. It combines animalier themes with the dreamlike, elongated proportions typical of the Surrealist movement's mystical interpretation of animals.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The patina shows natural aging and minor surface oxidation consistent with age. The stone base appears intact with some dust accumulation in the crevices.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 (if authenticated to a known Surrealist circle); $400 - $800 as a high-quality decorative Mid-Century bronze.
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,500
Provenance History
Likely a private collection acquisition from a gallery specializing in Latin American or Mid-Century bronze works. No visible stamps are seen in the photograph, but such pieces often feature an edition number or artist monogram near the base of the bronze.
Art Historical Significance
The cat was a central totem in Surrealist circles, particularly in Mexico (Carrington, Varo). This piece represents the mid-century transition where fine art sculpture began to adopt more slender, Giacometti-esque silhouettes while maintaining folk-art roots.
Notable Features
The 'primitive' yet sophisticated facial carving and the specific choice of a granite base suggest a regional production, likely from a boutique foundry in Mexico City or Europe during the 1960s.
Condition Issues
Minor surface abrasions on the bronze; light verdigris or spotting on the lower legs; potential adhesive degradation between the bronze feet and the stone plinth.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional dusting with a soft-bristled brush; application of a microcrystalline wax (like Renaissance Wax) to protect the metal from humidity; avoid chemical cleaners that could strip the original patina.