This week, we are counting down the days to LEO with a parade of favorite leonine items, all currently on-offer at LEO Design.
Though I love painting and music and fine craft, superb sculpture always impresses me the most. The sheer physicality of sculpting is a part of it. Then there is the sculptor's ability to convey dimension—or the illusion of dimension—with his material. But, most of all, I am fascinated by a great sculptor's capacity to imbue living energy (or the appearance of such energy) into an otherwise static substance, whether it's stone, metal or wood.
Some sculpture is created by addition (imagine applying and forming increasing bits of clay, to build-up the model of a portrait bust). Other sculpture is achieved by subtraction (as Michelangelo did when he "released" David, with a hammer and chisel, from a block of Carrera marble). And some sculpting is a combination of both addition and subtraction.
The fierce lion bookends, shown above, were made in the Twenties or Thirties. Though they convey the convincing appearance of depth, the sculpture itself is actually quite flat. They might be considered a work of bas relief. The unidentified sculptor masterfully executes foreshortening (see the raised, left paw) as well as animating the cold cast iron with fierce animal energy.
Perhaps that's one of the reasons I like bookends so much. One, they are needed to hold-up a collection of books. And, two, they are nearly always sculptural (at least the ones I like and collect).
Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome and useful pair of bookends.
More handsome LEOs tomorrow and in the days to come.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.