Standing Mobile with Red Abstract Base and Color Shapes
Sculpture, Kinetic Mobile on painted sheet metal stand • In the manner of or inspired by Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976)
Style & Movement
Kinetic Art / Modernism / Abstract
Medium & Technique
Painted sheet metal (steel or aluminum) and wire, cut, formed, welded, and enameled in primary and neutral colors
Creation Period
Mid-20th to Late 20th Century (circa 1950s-1970s style)
Dimensions & Format
Tabletop scale, approximately 24 inches in height by 18 inches in width
Subject Description
An abstract kinetic sculpture featuring a heavy, curved red standing base with cut-out organic shapes that supports a delicate, balanced wire armature suspending colored metal plates (yellow, blue, black, and white) designed to move with air currents.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. Clean surfaces with vibrant primary colors and minimal signs of wear or paint chipping.
Estimated Market Value
500 USD - 1,500 USD (as a decorative-grade sculpture in the style of Calder)
Auction Estimate
300 USD - 800 USD
Provenance History
Unknown private collection; likely acquired from a gallery, museum gift shop, or as a decorative mid-century modern art object.
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the massive cultural and aesthetic impact of Alexander Calder's invention of the mobile and stabiles, which revolutionized sculpture by introducing real, actual movement and industrial materials into fine art.
Notable Features
Combines a heavy, grounded stabilizing base (stabile) with a delicate, balanced kinetic element (mobile), effectively mirroring Calder's signature dual-format sculptural investigations.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and potential slight scuffing typical of domestic display environments; no major structural deformation or paint loss observed.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a stable indoor environment away from direct, harsh sunlight and strong drafts that could tangle the delicate wire elements. Dust gently with a soft, dry microfiber cloth.