Large 1970s Mixed-Metal Botanical Wall Sculpture with Butterflies, 59 Inches

Large American mixed-metal wall sculpture depicting a dense, almost theatrical botanical garden, dating from the 1970s or early 1980s. Measuring 59 inches wide by 39 inches high and approximately 6 inches deep, the work is constructed as a substantial three-dimensional assemblage within a heavy Ponderosa pine frame.

The composition is built from individually cut, formed and welded elements in brass, copper and steel. Butterflies hover above layers of branches and foliage, while spherical seed heads, openwork blossoms and broad-leaf plants project forward from the background. Smaller golden leaves fill the intervening spaces, giving the sculpture considerable depth and creating changing patterns of light and shadow as it is viewed from different angles.

A particularly interesting feature is the secondary metal border surrounding the garden. Repeated torch-cut motifs form an architectural frieze around the central composition, providing a more graphic counterpoint to the freely modeled vegetation. The dark-stained Ponderosa pine frame adds another material and visual layer and gives the large sculpture considerable presence without requiring an additional frame.

The combination of torch-cut and welded metal, botanical subject matter, varied metallic surfaces and pronounced three-dimensional construction belongs to an important direction in American decorative metalwork of the 1960s–1980s. The work relates particularly well to the organic mixed-metal sculpture associated with Silas Seandel, whose studio employed brass, bronze, copper and steel together with heat- and chemically developed surfaces. Seandel also produced both botanical sculpture and large architectural wall pieces.

No signature has been located, and the sculpture is therefore offered as an unidentified American studio work rather than attributed to Seandel.

Condition

Good original vintage condition. The mixed-metal elements retain varied original patination, oxidation and surface coloration consistent with age and the materials employed. Minor surface wear, oxidation and irregularities are present throughout and form part of the character of the work. The Ponderosa pine frame shows age-related wear, small marks, holes and variations to the stained surface. Individual botanical elements retain the intentionally irregular hand-formed character of the original construction. Structurally sound and ready for installation