Bust of a Young Boy Playing a Pipe
Sculpture, decorative bust • Unidentified decorative workshop; possibly European or American mass-market manufacturer
Style & Movement
Naturalistic/Vernacular; late Art Nouveau influence with decorative folk elements
Medium & Technique
Plaster or chalkware with a metallic bronze-effect cold-paint finish; molded casting
Creation Period
Early to mid-20th century (c. 1920-1950)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8-10 inches in height; vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A figure of a young boy with short, textured hair wearing a collared shirt, holding a flute or pipe to his lips. The piece is a waist-high bust terminating in an integral raised pedestal base featuring an abstract lizard or salamander-like relief motif.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible structural losses and surface wear consistent with age and material fragility
Estimated Market Value
$40 - $85 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $60 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely a mass-produced interior decorative object sold through retail or gift shops in the mid-20th century
Art Historical Significance
Minor; representative of the mid-20th century trend for affordable household decorative arts that mimicked expensive bronze originals in cheaper materials like plaster or chalkware
Notable Features
The distinctive lizard/salamander motif on the base which likely served as a trademark for the manufacturer or a specific design series
Condition Issues
Significant chipping on the upper head and lower left base exposing the white plaster substrate; surface abrasions to the gold-toned finish; accumulation of dirt in recessed areas
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning with a soft, dry brush; stabilization of plaster chips with reversible adhesive; professional color matching/in-painting of losses is possible but may exceed the value of the object