Soapstone carving - abstract-ish - signed

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by aaroncab, Mar 8, 2019.

  1. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    The price sticker was over the signature so I didn't see the signature/title till I got it home. I think the sig reads "R. Fowler or Fowley ...but supposed I could be getting it wrong. Titled "Dove". Until I saw the title I wasn't sure what it was - then I was like ..ohhhh yeah, it IS a dove. 8.5" long, 4.5" high. It's all curves and folds...I like it. Any opinions/info on artist much appreciated - thanks for looking!

    47266559822_996e8c94fb_odev.jpg 47318915601_720fac337e_odev.jpg 46595702854_b45cdd18a9_odev.jpg 33443204738_65918fafdb_odev.jpg 47266553442_a2dc0476e2_odev.jpg 32377056277_863d0ce1ce_odev.jpg 33443204728_2f9c2a61b2_odev.jpg 46595715324_85778fd253_odev.jpg 46595709034_52edf43f62_odev.jpg
     
  2. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    base/signature

    46572168744_4a3003aa5f_kdev.jpg 40330767003_265944cfa5_kdev.jpg

    Couple more angles:

    47318917241_ccce8cfb9f_odev.jpg 46595702834_37464a0d0b_odev.jpg
     
  3. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    nice shots....as usual...
    I'll throw Brazilian Soapstone , out there.....but that's a what it looks like from here...
    Those felt dots speak to me of 1980's.............just saying...they look original.
     
  4. Christmasjoy

    Christmasjoy Well-Known Member

    I love the stone, and the shapes, but for the life of me I just can't see a dove :( ... Joy.
     
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  5. wiscbirddog

    wiscbirddog Well-Known Member

    Just concentrate on the 1st pic - see the wings folded back onto the tail (right side) and the wee beak/head facing left?
     
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  6. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    I see it better in the last pic !!
     
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  7. Christmasjoy

    Christmasjoy Well-Known Member

    OKAY .. I think I see it in the last pic. Thanks Komo. I guess I'm not much of an 'abstract' type person ... Joy.
     
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  8. silverthwait

    silverthwait Well-Known Member

    I can see the dove that Aaroncab sees...but looking at it the other way 'round, it looks like a whale with a flipper hiding his eyes...
     
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  9. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Can I have some of what you're smoking ????:playful::playful::playful::playful::playful:
     
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  10. silverthwait

    silverthwait Well-Known Member

    If aaron's dove does not need to be anatomically correct, neither does my whale!

    ;)
     
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  11. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    I thought it might be a whale when i first picked it up...
     
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  12. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    I just gotta say that this is something that's hard to show in pictures, exactly what it really looks like in person - the 3 dimensional qualities of the curves and lines are very pleasing, and it looks most like a dove when looking at a sharp angle from back to front, from slightly above. Also the impression/feel it gives changes greatly with the angle/source/strength of the lighting.
     
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  13. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    I love it! There is something so satisfying about the look and feel of a good piece of carved and polished stone.
     
  14. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    Completely agree!
     
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  15. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Interesting piece.

    Could we get a few more shots of the signature?
     
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  16. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    I recall a bunch of semi-abstract soapstone carvings of a similar colour comming from Zimbabwe in the late 1980s and turning up in my local auction.
    This may be a lead.
     
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  17. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    20190308_171306.jpg
     
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  18. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    It does resemble shona stone - particularly the leopard rock variety - which I believe is a type of serpentinite. Could be a possibility - thanks AF!
     
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  19. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    How about Rowley for the surname?
     
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  20. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    Possible...hard to see in the photos but what seems like it might be a downstroke to form the right side of the r is different from the rest of the writing...might be just a scratch/nick...but I'm not sure.
     
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