Designer: Carl Lewis Pappe (1900 – 1998)

Item: Untitled bronze abstract sculpture

Manufactured by: Carl Pappe

Country of origin: Mexico 

Year made: 1950s

Materials: Bronze mounted to original walnut base

Dimensions: Bronze is 11” x 8 ¼” x 2” and with original wood base overall size is 13” x 8 ½” x 5”

Condition: Excellent

Description:  It is hard to find outstanding abstract tabletop bronze sculptures by well-listed American/Mexican artist Carl Lewis Pappe.  Most of the bronze works by Pappe are tabletop works of animals or female busts made for the tourist market in Mexico.  We have only seen about half a dozen other abstract tabletop bronzes by him and all appear to be unique castings and to be his fine art production.  This work looks nothing like the others we have ever seen.  Although abstract, those who have seen it all see the negative space as two parents with a child in the middle, perhaps holding a balloon.  This is the smallest of his abstract tabletop bronzes we have seen and is easily displayed in the home.  Signed on the flat base center “Carl Pappe” and has an undecipherable two letter or digit cypher on the flat base in the right corner.  We have never since this on a Pappe bronze.  

Provenance:  Norman J. Leon, New York City, NY and then by decent to his 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.