Paul Ludwig Kowalczewski, Arab Water Carrier Figure, Bronze and Marble

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A superb late 19th / early 20th-century bronze sculpture by the german-polish sculptor paul ludwig kowalczewski, depicting an arab water … Read more A superb late 19th / early 20th-century bronze sculpture by the german-polish sculptor paul ludwig kowalczewski, depicting an arab water carrier. This highly detailed bronze figure is an exceptionally attractive example of paul ludwig kowalczewski's small-scale sculpture, standing approximately 9.5 inches tall and mounted on an elegant black marble and bronze plinth. The sculpture depicts a traditionally dressed arab man carrying a water container. Kowalczewski has captured an impressive amount of detail in the figure, from the folds and texture of the garments and wrapped headwear to the facial features, hands and bare toes. The flowing fabric and carefully modelled water vessel give the figure a wonderfully animated and naturalistic quality. The bronze has acquired a beautiful deep, dark patina, complemented by lighter highlights across selected raised areas and edges. These tonal variations emphasise the modelling and give the sculpture considerable depth and character. The figure is accompanied by the artist's signature, “p. L. Kowalczewski,” together with a braunlich & langlotz foundry mark, providing particularly interesting provenance for collectors of german and european bronze sculpture. The sculpture is mounted on a substantial black marble base with an inset bronze plinth, giving it excellent presence despite its relatively compact size. The artist paul ludwig kowalczewski (1865–1910) was a german-polish sculptor who was born in mieltschin near gniezno in 1865 and died in berlin in 1910. From 1895 to 1898, he studied at the berlin academy and subsequently exhibited at the great berlin art exhibition, where he was known for small bronzes and portrait sculpture. His work reflects the late 19th-century european fascination with character studies, genre figures and exotic subjects, with particular attention paid to costume, gesture and finely observed details. Foundry – braunlich & langlotz the bronze bears a braunlich & langlotz foundry mark. Braunlich & langlotz was a german bronze foundry associated with the production of finely cast sculptures by a number of artists of the period. Examples are known bearing the foundry's distinctive mark, including works associated with sculptors such as albert-moritz wolff and karl kowalczewski. The combination of the artist's signature and foundry mark makes this a particularly appealing piece for collectors of late 19th-century german bronze. Material & details material: bronze with dark antique patina base: black marble with inset bronze plinth subject: arab water carrier / genre figure artist: paul ludwig kowalczewski (1865–1910) signature: p. L. Kowalczewski foundry: braunlich & langlotz, germany period: late 19th / early 20th century measurements height: approximately 9.5” base: approximately 3” x 3 5/8” condition excellent antique condition. The bronze displays an attractive aged patina with brighter highlights to some raised edges. The marble base is in very good condition with no chips noted. The underside retains its black baize protective covering. A highly decorative and collectible example of european bronze sculpture, with excellent scale, subject matter, detail and period character. See less