Canine Sculpture Appraisal

Bronze Sculpture of Labrador Retriever Mother and Puppies

This is a detailed sculpture, likely crafted from bronze or a similar patinated metal, depicting a mature Labrador Retriever mother with four of her puppies. The overall composition shows the mother dog lying down, with her head resting on her front paws, exuding a sense of calm and maternal presence. Her body appears robust and accurately rendered, suggesting a realistic portrayal of the breed. Four puppies are arranged around and on top of her. One puppy sits on her back, looking alertly to the left. Another puppy is positioned more centrally on her back, gazing directly forward with an earnest expression. A third puppy is to her right, standing with paws on her back, looking upwards and to the right. The fourth puppy is less clearly visible but appears to be at the far left, also on her back. The texture of the 'fur' is subtly rendered with fine lines and variations in color, indicating a rich, warm brown patina with lighter areas highlighting the contours and darker recessed areas providing depth. The eyes of all the dogs appear to be dark and expressive, contributing to their lifelike quality. The sculpture exhibits a high degree of craftsmanship, with attention paid to anatomical accuracy and the depiction of canine individual personalities. No major damage such as cracks or significant abrasions is overtly visible, suggesting good preservation of its condition and patina. The base on which the sculpture rests is flat and unadorned, allowing the focus to remain on the canine subjects. Given the fine detail and naturalistic rendering, this piece likely dates from the late 19th to early 20th century or is a contemporary piece by a skilled animal sculptor, emphasizing a timeless and endearing theme of animal family.