Hi.
Can i have some opinions on this AH Bust?
Total hight is 42cm
Head hight is 32cm
Nicolaus Schmidt is the artist.
Original?
Value?

Best regards Scharfschütze

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Although I don't know anything about busts, I felt a need to reply since nobody has. On Vacation? Or moved to other forums?

I like the expression and detail on this one. Don't know if it's a repro or not. Would like to hear what our other more knowledgeable colleagues opinions may be on this item.

Regards,
-serge-

Thanks for the reply..I almost thought no one would.
Yes please i need more opinions.
Scharfschutze

Scharfschütze,

I thought you'd get a lot of replies regarding the bust, too, but sometimes it goes like that here on the forums, which you are most likely aware of ...

On the surface there are no glaring errors that
I can see, the quality, materials and construction all seem to confirm pre-'45 manufacture, though, so do all the good-quality reproductions.

The marble base conforms to most of the original imperial, Weimar and TR-period
busts and other bronzes that I've seen, that being predominently black and/or dark gray with white veining running throughout the stone.

The points of attachment joining the cast to the block also matches that of most good period bronzes. The drilled recess in the stone and the mounting-tongue that's cast into the sculpture are also quite proper. The head of the bolt that affixes the two seems a bit shiny
in your photo, however that may just be a trick
of the light? The patina and age also seem to indicate the correct time-frame. You would be in a much better position to ascertain that - at times it's very difficult to judge nuances, even from the very best of photographs.

Last but not least, the artist. I can't recall
the name of Nicolaus Shmidt as being one of the prominent TR artists, but that shouldn't be any cause for concern - there were a lot of good, competent artist/sculptors running around in Germany during the years 1933-45. Just because it's not a Schmid-Ehmen like your avatar, doesn't amount to a hill of beans in this instance ...

Even those who diligently study the German-arts
of this time period won't be able to name all
those sculptors who practised their craft during those years. There were lots.

If you sculpted busts of the Führer and other political or old-Germanic subjects, the powers-that-be pretty much left you alone and to your own devices.

I hope you'll tell us about what you were able to come up with, too? What are your feelings
about the unit, are you comfortable with all the relative aspects? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts ...

Thanks for letting us have a look and sharing our thoughts.

Best regards!

Bill