Designer: Carl Lewis Pappe (1900 – 1998)

Item: Untitled bronze relief sculpture

Manufactured by: Carl Pappe

Country of origin: Mexico 

Year made: 1950s

Materials: Bronze mounted to original walnut base

Dimensions: Bronze sculpture is 5 ½” x 5 ½” x ½” and original wood mount is 8 ½” x 8 ½”.  Total depth is 2 ¼”

Condition: Excellent

Description:  This is another terrific abstract wall hanging bronze relief sculpture by well-listed American/Mexican artist Carl Lewis Pappe.  Most of the bronze works by Pappe are three-dimensional tabletop works of animals or female busts that appear to have been made for the tourist market for sale from the shop he and his wife operated in Taxco.  We have only seen a few other abstracted wall-mounted bronzes by him, one of which we also have on offer.  This example appears to be one from a series of at least three different versions in the same size with different, but related abstract compositions. All three appear to be influenced by ancient Aztec or Mayan wall reliefs.  We believe this to be a unique casting.  Signed lower left “Carl Pappe” and has the initials “CP” in a cypher we have seen on other Pappe bronze works. In 2018, one of these three, which was damaged, sold on eBay for $650.

Provenance:  Norman J. Leon, New York City, NY and then by decent to his two daughters.  According to his daughters from whom we acquired this, Leon traveled frequently and often acquired fine objects during his trips.  They confirmed that he did travel to Mexico.  It is likely Leon purchased this directly from Pappe or from the gallery he ran with his wife in Taxco.