An Attractive Early 20thC Stone Pedestal Birdbath in the Form of a Robed Youth Supporting a Clamshell
SOLD
Origin: English
Period: Early Twentieth Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1910-30
Height: 24.5 inches
Width 11 inches Square at Base
Weight: 31.7 KGS
The delicately proportioned stone figural garden birdbath formed as a robed male youth, hunched, supporting a clamshell acting as the bath, the whole on a square stepped base survives from the second quarter of the twentieth century.
Beautifully weathered, the stone does have wear commensurate with its age and exposure to the elements, the whole having all over moss growth both to the pedestal base, figure and shell. Crucially the piece is structurally sound with no chips or cracks aside from the base whereby it does need a little extra support to the front edge when standing. To the reverse the piece is evidently made in two parts as the join is visible.
The history of birdbaths remains largely unknown, but it is rumored they were invented in Greece many years ago with clamshells having featured as birdbaths all over the world, taking inspiration from the giant clam shells of the deep.
A highly decorative and aesthetically appealing birdbath in beautifully aged condition and one, which deserves a place in any mature garden of note.