Surrealist Bronze Sculpture of a Woman and Alligator on Skates

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Surrealist Bronze Sculpture of a Woman and Alligator on Skates

Continental, circa 1960s
Dimensions: 8" H × 4" W × … Read more Surrealist Bronze Sculpture of a Woman and Alligator on Skates

Continental, circa 1960s
Dimensions: 8" H × 4" W × 4.5" D

A whimsical and surrealist bronze depicting a fantastical pair: a female nude figure and an anthropomorphic alligator, hand in hand as they glide forward on curling bronze ice skates. Executed in the lost-wax technique, the figures are modeled with deliberately rough, textured surfaces, giving them a raw, almost lava-like tactility that heightens their primitive presence. The burnished brown patina is enhanced with golden undertones, emphasizing the muscular and attenuated forms.

The subject matter blends humor and allegory, recalling the whimsical anthropomorphism of François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne as well as the existential distortion of Giacometti. The alligator, rendered upright in a human stance, becomes a companion rather than a predator, while the skates introduce an element of instability and play, suggesting the precariousness of balance in both life and partnership.

This surrealist duet embodies the spirit of 20th-century fantastical realism, merging animal, human, and dreamlike imagination into a single dynamic moment. Both humorous and slightly unsettling, the piece would complement collections of modernist bronze, surrealist objects, or decorative art with a narrative edge.

Condition: Excellent vintage condition with intentional surface irregularities inherent to the casting process. No repairs or restorations observed. See less