Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Peacock Mask Wall Sculpture

This is a large-format metal wall sculpture exhibiting a stylized, abstract peacock motif with a central humanoid mask. The artwork features a dynamic fan design comprised of numerous thin, welded wire rods—likely brass or copper-plated steel—radiating from a central spiral to mimic avian plumage. The bird's neck and head are rendered in a hammered, textured metal with a golden-brass finish, suggesting a Brutalist influence in its coarse, tactile surface. At the core of the spiral sits a small, metallic silver-tone mask with serene, classical features, providing a surrealist focal point. The construction utilizes spot-welding techniques common in mid-20th-century decorative arts, similar to the works of Curtis Jeré or Marc Create. The condition appears fair to good; there is visible oxidation and darkening (patina) along the wire tips and joints, which is expected for its age. Some of the horizontal support wires show minor bending. The piece lacks a visible signature in this view, consistent with many mass-produced boutique gallery items from the 1960s to 1970s. Its scale and complex geometry indicate a high level of artisanal labor, designed to cast dramatic shadows when wall-mounted.

I have completed a visual examination of this Brutalist 'Peacock-Mask' wall sculpture. The piece embodies the 1960s-70s boutique gallery aesthetic championed by firms like Artisan House (Curtis Jeré). Stylistically, the use of radiating 'sunburst' wirework and brazed-metal textures suggests it is likely a vintage original or a high-quality period replica. The condition is fair to good; the significant patina and oxidation on the wire tips are consistent with aged copper-washed steel. While the mask element is a rarer surrealist touch, the bending in horizontal supports slightly diminishes the value. The current market for Mid-Century Modern (MCM) decorative arts remains robust, with specific demand for large-scale 'statement' wall pieces that utilize negative space. Comparable unsigned Brutalist metalworks of this scale typically trade in the $400 to $800 range at regional auctions and vintage boutiques. Signed pieces by documented artists like Marc Create would command a 40-60% premium. Without physical inspection, I cannot verify the base metal composition or screen for modern reproductions. A full authentication would require an in-person search for a hidden signature (often located on the rear mounting brackets or integrated into the wire joints), a magnetic test to determine if the core is steel or solid brass, and provenance documentation. This valuation assumes the piece is a genuine mid-20th-century artisan manufacture rather than a contemporary 'in the style of' recreation.