Cast-iron Sculpture Of A Reclining Bear, Attributed To Nikolai Lieberich

Cast-iron sculpture of a reclining bear, attributed to Nikolai Lieberich.

A beautiful cast-iron animal sculpture depicting a reclining Russian bear, attributed to Nikolai Ivanovich Lieberich. The animal is depicted in a natural, relaxed pose, its body stretched out, one front paw extended forward, and its head turned slightly to the side.

The expressive modeling of the head, the detailed texture of the fur, and the realistic posture reflect the tradition of 19th-century Russian animal sculpture. The figure is cast in cast iron with a dark, burnished, or patinated surface and rests on a contoured wooden base.

The sculpture is unsigned. The attribution to Nikolai Lieberich should therefore be considered traditional or probable, rather than confirmed by a signature.

Nikolai Ivanovich Lieberich, born in Saint Petersburg in 1828 and died in the same city in 1883, was a Russian animal sculptor. He was admitted to the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in Saint Petersburg in 1861 and studied under Peter Clodt von Jürgensburg. He is particularly known for his animal sculptures, hunting scenes, and subjects related to Russian sporting life.

Provenance:
Private collection, Homburg/Saar.

Artist:
Attributed to Nikolai Ivanovich Lieberich, Saint Petersburg, 1828–1883.

Origin:
Russia.

Period:
19th century.

Type:
Animal sculpture / bear figure.

Materials:
Cast iron, wood.

Technique:
Cast iron, burnished or surface patina, mounted on a profiled wooden base.

Decoration:
Reclining Russian bear, modeled in a naturalistic style, with textured fur and expressive details.

Signature:
Unsigned.

Dimensions:
Length of the bear: 27 cm.
Base: 33 × 19 × 4 cm.


Condition:
Age-related wear, patina, surface marks, scuffs, and slight oxidation of the cast iron. The wooden base shows signs of use, scratches, and superficial marks. The condition is visible in the photographs.

SKU: 1113.0.5.050626