{"id":851,"date":"2021-03-21T20:55:52","date_gmt":"2021-03-22T01:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/?page_id=851"},"modified":"2021-03-21T20:55:52","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T01:55:52","slug":"animals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/home\/animals\/","title":{"rendered":"Animals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Animals have served as lifelong companions and have provided enduring sources of artistic depiction, curiosity, and symbols of magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alexander Phimister Proctor (United States, 1862-1950)
<\/strong>Buffalo, 1912
<\/strong>Bronze, 20 x 13 5\/8 inches
Gift of the Gorham Corporation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexander Phimister Proctor created four immense sculptures of buffalo to adorn the Dumbarton\u2014or Q Street\u2014Bridge in Washington, DC. The Gorham Foundry cast several models with inscriptions indicating the Buffalo was a model for the Q Street Bridge sculptures. This cast additionally has the founder\u2019s mark and 1912 on its base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Nicoya Maker
<\/strong>Northwest Costa Rica
<\/strong>Jaguar Effigy Metate, 4th-8th century
<\/strong>Stone, 32 1\/8 x 11 7\/8 inches
Gift of William C. Lickle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This decorative grinding stone features a composite serpent-jaguar head and a tripod of openwork legs. It is hewn from a densely-grained volcanic rock. The metate is a base on which corn, for example, is ground into meal using a lozenge-shaped stone to roll and crush the kernels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Carver
<\/strong>China
<\/strong>Guardian Lion, 20th century
<\/strong>Tiger eye, 2 3\/4 x 3 1\/2 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese guardian lion incense burner, made of tiger eye, has a separately carved head with an open mouth with carved teeth and tongue. One paw rests on a carved ball, and a free-swinging ring that hangs from the chest ring is carved from one continuous piece. Chinese lions, also called Imperial Lions or Foo Dogs, were originally made of stone, and were used in large pairs for the protection of buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Artist
<\/strong>Italy
<\/strong>Decorative Lion Head, 15th-17th century
<\/strong>Bronze, 2 1\/2 x 2 7\/8 x 3 5\/8 inches
Gift of Mr. Alan Gerdau<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although donor Alan Gerdau collected many artifacts from Padua, Italy, it is possible that this decorative bronze originated in Venice. The lion is the attribute of Saint Mark, the city\u2019s patron saint, and is ubiquitous throughout Venice. It appears as fountain spouts, doorknockers, and architectural decoration. This small head could have functioned in any of those ways, but considering the wear of the patinaed surface, and the partial brackets on the back, this was probably a doorknocker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Robert Juchem (Idar-Oberstein, Germany, dates unknown)
<\/strong>Grizzly Bear, 20th century
<\/strong>Quartz, 2 3\/4 x 5 x 1 3\/4 inches
Gift of Mrs. David Craven<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walking grizzly bear is carved from one piece of transparent colorless quartz and has carved fur and ruby eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Maker
<\/strong>Egypto-Roman (Coptic)
<\/strong>Chameleon Knife (or knife handle), ca. 150 CE
<\/strong>Bone, 8 1\/4 x 3\/4 inches
Unknown Donor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Egypto-Roman or Coptic period, bone was used extensively for utensils including spoons, combs, and ornaments used in hairdressing. This knife (possibly a handle) in the form of a chameleon was made from animal bone, likely from Egyptian cattle that grazed the banks of the Nile and were found in the Fayum Oasis region west of Cairo. The Akkadians, an ancient culture that dominated modern-day Iraq over 4,000 years ago, named the chameleon nes qaqqari<\/em>, literally \u201clion of the ground.\u201d This usage continued through subsequent civilizations over the ensuing centuries. In modern English \u201cchameleon\u201d means \u201cground lion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Carver
<\/strong>China
<\/strong>Panda, 20th century
<\/strong>Dolomite and obsidian, 2 1\/4 x 4 x 1 1\/2 inch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panda is carved from white dolomite and black obsidian and has applied ears, nose, and eye patches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Carver
<\/strong>Owl, 20th century
<\/strong>Charoite, 2 1\/2 x 5 1\/4 x 2 inches
Estate of Mrs. David Craven<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The owl is carved from one piece of purple charoite, mined only near the Chara River in Siberia, Russia. With a separate agate beak and eyes, and cast-silver feet, the owl sits on a petrified log cross-section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Robert Juchem (Idar-Oberstein, Germany, dates unknown)
<\/strong>Bald Eagle
<\/strong>Jasper and dolomite, 2 1\/2 x 6 x 7 inches
Gift of Mrs. David Craven<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The body of this eagle is mottled red and yellow jasper; the head and tail are of white dolomite; the separately carved beak is yellow jasper; the feet are silver. The eagle perches on a petrified wood base. It is more difficult to carve in a hard material like agate or jasper but a skillful artist, using diamond tools, can create more detail in a hard stone. Carvings in softer material are generally less elaborate, as fine definition such as this cannot be attained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Maker
<\/strong>Peru
<\/strong>Llama, 20th century
<\/strong>Ceramic, 5 7\/8 x 2 3\/8 inches
Gift of Dr. & Mrs. Russell J. Seibert<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ceramic depicting a llama could have been purchased in any number of trading markets throughout Peru. The patterning on the back of this llama recalls the hand-woven and decorated woolen textiles used throughout the Andes as blankets and saddlebags for these beasts of burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Carver
<\/strong>Rhinoceros, 20th century
<\/strong>Malachite, 3 x 6 x 2 1\/4 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[UD_EXHIBITION_ITEM]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unknown Artist
<\/strong>Egypt
<\/strong>Apis Bull, 600-300 BCE
<\/strong>Leaded bronze, polychrome, 4 3\/4 x 5 x 1 1\/2 inches
Gift of Mr. Alan Gerdau<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apis is the divine bull of the ancient Egyptian capital Memphis, and it is a manifestation of the god Ptah, a creator and maker of all things. The original name in Egyptian was Api, Hapi, or Hep. Apis is the Greek name, meaning courageous heart, great strength, and fighting spirit. It symbolizes strength and fertility, qualities closely linked with kingship. Occasionally, Apis appears with the sun-disk symbol of his mother, Hathor, between his horns. Apis is one of very few deities associated with her symbol, signifying goodness and plenty. The cult of Apis celebrated the bull, which represented harmony in nature and a balanced universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Bamana\/Bambara Carver
<\/strong>Mali, Africa
<\/strong>Chi Wara and Figure, 20th century
<\/strong>Wood, fiber, metal, 28 x 18 x 5 1\/2 inches
Gift of Geneva R. Steinberger<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chi Wara represents the roan antelope, an intercessor that sustains human and natural fertility. The female antelope is usually depicted in a horizontal stance and carries a young antelope on her back, symbolizing human beings protected by the heroic Chi Wara. In this case, the antelope is instead carrying a female figure in a literal interpretation of this belief. At festivals, the Chi Wara figures always appear as a male\/female pair, combining the elements of fertility of humans with fertility of the earth. The carvings are placed on the heads of dancers fully clad in raffia. Their movements replicate the antelope reinvigorating the soil, thus assuring a bountiful harvest. Of the differing regional styles, this carving likely comes from the north region of Mali called Bamako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unknown Baga Carver
<\/strong>Guinea, Africa
<\/strong>a-Bamp\/e-Bemp Headdress, mid-20th century
<\/strong>Wood, polychrome, 16 1\/8 x 5 3\/4 x 10 inches
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Martin Goodman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often depicted as an aquatic bird, an a-Bamp or e-Bamp literally translates as \u201cthe bird.\u201d In this object, the bird is a hornbill, although in other examples herons or pelicans can appear. It carries two smaller hornbills on its back. In some instances, the object is worn on the forehead while hunting. Hunters mimic the up and down movements of the birds, blending into the flock unnoticed. Also, young men and boys wear this form of headdress during initiation into the Baga harvest festival ceremony, where, like the hunters, they perform these same movements jumping from left to right and nodding their heads as though they are socializing among the flock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Anna Vaughan Hyatt Huntington (United States, 1876-1973)
<\/strong>Elephant [Alice], executed by Gorham ca. 1920
<\/strong>Bronze, 13 7\/8 x 11 1\/4 inches
Gift of the Gorham Corporation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historically, many elephants, both of the African and Asian species, have been named Alice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Alice who was likely the model for Anna Huntington\u2019s sculpture was an Asian elephant owned in 1905 by Frank Thompson at Luna Park, Coney Island, NY. Making a dramatic escape, Alice took to the water, swam north out of Luna Park, and slipped into the Coney Island Creek. From there, she swam west, undetected, passing the Coney Island Lighthouse and continuing another five miles\u2014across one of the busiest ports in the world\u2014where fishermen spotted her off the Staten Island coast just before dawn. In 1908, Alice went to the Bronx Zoo, where Huntington studied and sculpted Alice among other animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Richard H. Bailey (United States, b. 1940)
<\/strong>Turtle, 1969
<\/strong>Serpentine, 15 1\/2 x 18 x 9 7\/8 inches
Purchase Award 9th<\/sup> Annual Regional Art Exhibition, 1970<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delaware sculptor, Richard H. Bailey has been carving stone for over sixty years and is known as \u201cThe Marble Man.\u201d Bailey\u2019s handcrafted sculptures are carved primarily from marble, but also granite and precious stones, which he selects. His subjects include twisting fish, butterflies, ducks, and monumental turtles expressing his deeply rooted interest in nature and faith. This sculpture appears to be a sea turtle with prominent front flippers. Bailey studied at the Art Students League in New York City with Jos\u00e9 de Creeft and at de Creeft\u2019s home studio in Hoosick Falls, New York for two summers, before attending the Carlo Nicoli Studios in Italy, where he studied with ten stone sculptors. Returning to New York City, Bailey studied at the New School of Social Research. Continuing his extensive training, he took drawing classes at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont and learned many techniques for carving granite in Barre, Vermont.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Animals have served as lifelong companions and have provided enduring sources of artistic depiction, curiosity, and symbols of magic. [UD_EXHIBITION_ITEM] Alexander Phimister Proctor (United States, 1862-1950)Buffalo, 1912Bronze, 20 x 13 5\/8 inchesGift of the Gorham Corporation Alexander Phimister Proctor created four immense sculptures of buffalo to adorn the Dumbarton\u2014or Q Street\u2014Bridge in Washington, DC. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"parent":57,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-exhibition.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-851","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/851"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=851"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1023,"href":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/851\/revisions\/1023"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/57"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/collectors-cabinet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}