Strauss & co - 9 November 2015, Johannesburg

128 210 Anton VAN WOUW south african 1862 – 1945 Miner with Hand Drill signed, dated 1911 and inscribed ‘Joh-burg’ and ‘Foundry G. Massa Rome’ bronze with brown patinas height: 61 cm R2 000 000 – 3 000 000 ‘There are not many castings of the larger version of this small sculpture because its price has always, even during the artist’s lifetime, been exceptionally high. The first thing that strikes one when looking at exceptional castings of this figurine is the patination and the textural contrasts. The figure has a light brown patina, while the rockface is coloured much darker. The sharp contrast between the smoothly finished figure and the rough rockface and floor of the mineshaft undoubtedly adds to the enchantment of this figurine.’ 1 ‘It is remarkable to see how many differences there are between the finer details of the best Massa and Nisini castings and local creations. In this regard special attention should be called to the hammer which is more prominent in the Italian castings, the cord of the water bottle which is clearer, the more accurate rendering of the rockface and the loincloth of the miner and the emphasis on detail such as the string around the left foot of the miner, the way that the top of the chisel has been damaged by the continual hammering, the finish of the skin on the heels and feet of the miner, and the portrayal of the hands.’ 2 1 Duffey, A E. (2008) Anton van Wouw the Smaller Works , Pretoria: Protea Book House. Page 89. 2 Ibid . Page 91. literature Duffey, AE. (2008) Anton van Wouw: The Smaller Works, Pretoria: Protea Book House. Another cast from the edition illustrated on pages 89 to 92 with the title The Hammer Worker. Ernst, J. (2006) Anton van Wouw: a Biography , Vanderbijlpark: Corals Publishers. Another cast from the edition illustrated on page 74 with the title Die Hammerwerker. Fransen, Hans. (1982) Three Centuries of South African Art, Johannesburg: AD Donker. Another cast from the edition illustrated on pages 326 and 327. Duffey, AE. (1981) Anton van Wouw 1862-1945 en die Van Wouwhuis , Pretoria: University of Pretoria. Another cast from the edition illustrated on page 12. Du Toit, ML. (1933) Suid-Afrikaanse Kunstenaars: Deel 1, Anton van Wouw , Cape Town: Unknown Publisher. Another cast from the edition illustrated, plate 13.