Description:

With their towering form, on offer is this eye-catching, larger-than-life-size pair of bronze African warriors. Standing nearly 7-feet in height themselves, each figure bears an 8-foot bronze spear (removable for safety in shipping). Even though armed with weapons for hunting & protection, their countenance is one of calm, composure, & inner strength.

Our research reveals these figures probably represent the Nuer peoples of South Sudan. Each balancing on a single foot, both share the traditional resting pose of one leg raised & bent at the knee, with the corresponding foot resting on the inside upper calf of the opposite leg. Nicely detailed, the sculpures are graced with a handsome, 'coppery' patina, with effective splashes of oxidized patina used to highlight their loin cloths & the male's decorative arm bands. A double row of raised & incised scarifications appear on the chest of the male. The female's hair is beautifully coiffed, & her earlobes are adorned with hoop earrings.

Overall condition: despite minor casting imperfections, plus a hairline crack around one ankle of the female figure (which can be seen in one of the photos provided), this stunning bronze pair is in very good overall condition. Equally at home indoors or out, the sculptures stand as splendid guardians & make a magnificent display! If properly anchored, an outdoor garden could serve as a superb setting for the pair. Wherever displayed, they would be the focal point & center of attraction for any collection!

The foundry that produced this design (Meng's) went out of business a number of years ago, making any of the resulting castings extremely difficult to find (as our extensive research has borne out). To replace them today, the mold for each figure could cost as much as $5,000, & casting costs could range from $15-to-20,000 each. And with the original foundry now closed, an artist could charge 3 to 4 times the material costs to re-create these today.