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A Yuletide Journey: An In-Depth Description of Stanley Wanlass's 'Silent Knight' Bronze Sculpture
This is a detailed description of the featured Stanley Wanlass bronze sculpture, 'Silent Knight,' which presents an exceptional holiday-themed work by the acclaimed American artist.
Artwork and Artist Identification
Title: 'Silent Knight'
Artist: Stanley Wanlass (American, b. 1941), a sculptor renowned for his dynamic figurative works, especially those centered on automotive and historical themes.
Medium: Solid Bronze, Patinated and Hand-Painted.
Date: 1992.
Edition: This piece is specifically numbered 44/92, indicating it is one of a very limited edition of 92 sculptures.
Sculpture Description
'Silent Knight' captures a wonderfully whimsical, yet masterfully executed, vision of Santa Claus making his deliveries.
Subject: The sculpture depicts a cheerful, grinning Santa Claus riding a vintage high-wheeler bicycle (or penny-farthing). The bicycle's large front wheel and smaller rear wheel are rendered in bronze, seemingly cutting a path through fresh snowfall.
Composition and Detail: Santa is richly detailed, dressed in his classic, heavily textured red suit with white fur trim, which features delicate hand-painted accents.
Accessories: He is heavily laden with cargo for his journey. A large sack overflowing with toys and gifts is strapped to his back, and another basket sits between his knees on the front handlebars.
Light: In his raised right hand, Santa holds a classic, hooded lantern, suggesting his nighttime ride is conducted in secrecy, underscoring the "Silent Knight" title.
Snowfall: The ground immediately beneath the bicycle and its wheels is a textured bronze representation of snow, providing a sense of motion and environment.
Base and Signature
The sculpture is thoughtfully presented on a multi-part base designed to showcase the work.
Primary Base: The central element is a dark, heavy wooden base (likely walnut or mahogany) with a polished finish, providing a warm contrast to the patinated bronze.
Engraved Accents: Encircling the wooden base is an engraved brass or bronze band. This band typically features the sculpture's title ("Silent Knight"), the artist's name, the date, and potentially the edition details, further formalizing the presentation.
Signatures: The piece is signed in at least two locations, affirming its authenticity:
On the Bronze: The artist's signature and the year (e.g., "S. Wanlass '92") are visible on the snow section of the bronze casting.
On the Plaque: The brass plaque accent on the base is also engraved with identifying information.
Dimensions and Condition
Overall Dimensions: The sculpture stands approximately 25 inches tall, with the base measuring roughly 18 inches by 7 inches. This substantial size makes it a prominent display piece.
Condition: The sculpture is reported to be in Very Good Condition, suggesting the bronze integrity is sound, the complex hand-painted polychrome elements are well-preserved, and the wooden base is stable.
"
Dimensions 22ʺW × 13.5ʺD × 20ʺH .
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