Bronze Plaquette | M Wiese | 1907

Hi all, I recently acquired this intriguing bronze (or possibly patinated metal) plaquette depicting the German novelist and poet Theodore Fontane seated before a skyline view of Neuruppin.

The plaque is inscribed:
“Denkmal Theodor Fontane’s, des Dichters der Mark zu Neu-Ruppin, anno 1907.”

The sculptor’s signature “M. Wiese” appears within the casting.

The reverse has what appears to be an aged oxidised surface and the piece appears to have some age and weight to it. The modelling quality is quite refined, particularly in the drapery, architectural background and lettering.

I would be very interested to learn more about this item, if anyone has and experience of it or similar items. And do you think it is likely original?

Many thanks.

 

Photographs would be helpful, @Adambd13.

Debora

 

Is this yours?



https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...bronze-plaque-'theodor-fontan-56-c-b6e436ba66

Debora

 

Wow-1000 Euros !
'Theodor Fontane- was a German novelist and poet, regarded by many as the most important 19th-century German-language realist author.'
How little I know of World Literature ! Ten authors of Asian descent/ nationality have won and I've only read one.

 

@Adambd13 where may I ask did you find it ?

 

I am so sorry, the images did not go through.

 

Apologies for the late reply, it was in an antique shop in the UK.

 

Sorry, Debora. The images did not go through. I have posted them below.

 

From Leonard Forrer's Biographical Dictionary... the Supplement, 1916.

 

I guess this begs the question: Was it a one-off piece or part of a run of them? And regardless of A or B, is this an original or replica. I'll keep digging as this is beyond my scope of expertise. Thank you!

 

https://www.visitacity.com/en/neuruppin/attractions/theodorfontanedenkmal

My guess would be that multiples were made as mementos of the poet for his admirers & visitors to his monument. Although Forrer says the plaque was 'made for' the monument, it may not mean the plaque was installed on the monument, since Wiese also made the sculpture.

 

I agree with the above. It would have been a multiple made of the monument for admirers of the author. Something similar was done of Robert Louis Stevenson's memorial plaque by Saint-Gaudens which is located in Edinburgh's St. Giles Cathedral. It was installed in 1902 so the same period as the Fontane sculpture.

Debora