Andromede by Par A. Valentin. I had failed to state the artist name in my previous request
12 October 2018
Description

Perhaps a clay statue, weighs 60 pounds, stands 39 inches tall, 13 inches deep by 11.5 wide.

Provenance

My Mothers estate which she purchased in the mid to late 50s from a family that had moved back to England.

Acquired from
Inherited
For sale
Yes
Answered within about 10 hours
By Grace Harlow
Oct 12, 23:21 UTC
Fair Market Value
$500 - $700 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Dear Jim,

Many thanks for submitting photographs and information on the sculpture. Before proceeding with the appraisal, can you confirm that artist's name and if the sculpture is signed? If so, are you able to provide a close-up photograph of any signatures and/or markings?

Kind regards,
Grace

Grace harlow Oct 14, 16:48 UTC

Dear Jim,
Are you able to discern a signature or any other markings on the sculpture? Alternatively, are you in possession of paperwork or an invoice from when your mother acquired the sculpture? Any additional information you can provide is most helpful and greatly appreciated.

Kindly,
Grace

Jim mcghee Oct 18, 19:45 UTC

Hi Grace, Yes the statue has a signature (VALENTIN) as well as a brass plate (AMDROMEDE) Par A.Valentin. And no I do not have any paper work as to my Mother acquiring the statue,.this transaction occurred somewhere in the late 1950's.

Grace harlow Oct 18, 22:41 UTC

Thank you Jim.
Are you willing to upload photographs of the signature and brass plate? Initial research has not yielded any artists with the name 'Valentin' or 'A. Valentin.' Having an image of the signature might be helpful in identifying the artist.
Many thanks,
Grace

Jim mcghee Oct 18, 23:17 UTC

Hi Grace, Yes I have a couple of clear photos of the signature & and the brass plate. Please tell me how I can send them to you 9email or other?) Thank you Jim [email protected]

Jim mcghee Oct 18, 23:19 UTC

Hi again Grace, I have just sorted it out and the 2 photos are on the way Jim

Grace harlow Oct 18, 23:26 UTC

Thank you! These images are fine. I will see what I can find out.
Kindly,
Grace

Grace harlow Oct 20, 02:11 UTC

The appraised work is likely a French marble sculpture executed in the late 19th / early 20th century and depicts the Greek princess Andromeda. The sculpture depicts a climatic moment in the ancient myth, where a nude Andromeda is chained to a rock with waves lapping at her feet after her parents angered Poseidon, perhaps moments before Perseus rescues her.

While the sculpture is signed ‘Valentin’ with an additional brass plate that reads ‘Andromède par A. Valentin,’ the artist could not be fully identified and no record of previous works were found and confirmed. The estimate provided is based on similar sculptures recently offered and sold at auction. In many cases, pricing for comparables available on the retail market are often higher than secondary market examples. The appraised work’s subject, size, and medium were taken into consideration in establishing the estimate provided.

Jim mcghee Oct 20, 13:03 UTC

Hi Grace, Thank you for your appraisal and it is much appreciated. Jim McGhee

Grace harlow Oct 20, 13:08 UTC

Jim,
I am happy to help. Let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Grace

Grace harlow Oct 31, 13:10 UTC

Dear Jim,
A colleague took a look at your photographs of the Andromeda sculpture and believes it is not in fact marble but actually chalkware, which is a material cast from gypsum-based plaster of Paris. Chalkware was very popular in the 19th century and often used to create small collectibles and figurines. Chalkware is not as durable as marble nor as desirable. I have updated the initial price estimate to reflect comparable chalkware items recently offered and sold at auction. I apologize for my initial error. It can sometimes be difficult to assess an artwork’s medium via photographs. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Jim mcghee Oct 31, 17:59 UTC

Hello Grace, I was shocked to have received your first appraisal of Andromede but your new estimate appears more in line with what I thought it would be. I did turn the stature on it's side and the hollow insides show a red clay type material. Thanks again for your fine work. Jim

Grace harlow Oct 31, 18:32 UTC

Many thanks for your patience and understanding!
All Best,
Grace

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