Dec. 6th & 7th 2014 Fine & Decorative Arts Sale (33)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2014
Frederick Volck (1833-1891). Frederick Volck sculpted this original bronze bust of General Robert E. Less in 1863 when the Confederate War Department, located in Richmond, Virginia, requested Volck to commemorate the glorious battles that General Lee had won for the South. This sculpture was to rally the Southern troops, as well as the Southern people, for the war was still raging with no end in sight for either side. Volck was employed in the Confederate Naval Ordinance Department and took exact measurements of General Lee, as well as General Lee's horse, Traveler. In 1863, Volck cast a limited amount of these bronze busts, as there were limited amounts of bronze available to the Confederacy, due to bronze being used for cannons and other armaments of the War. This bronze is from the original terra cotta done by Volck. Underneath the front of the bust it is inscribed "Robert E. Lee" and on the back "Frederick Volck 1863 Richmond, VA". Weighing 50 pounds, it is in very good condition.