After Sirio Tofanari (Italian, 1886-1969). Large cast bronze panther sculpture. Depicting the snarling big cat sitting and looking downwards. Incised signature along the base. Brown and verdigris patination throughout.

Provenance: Private Minnesota Collection

Lot Essay:
Sirio Tofanari was born into a family of sculptors and artists. He attended the Florence Academy of Art from 1902-1907. At the age of 18 he fell in love and eloped to Paris before moving to London. While there he devoted himself to the study of animals, visiting the zoo and Natural History Museum often. Throughout the first two decades of the 20th century he exhibited his work around Europe including the 1909 Venice Biennale.

Sadly, his home, studio, and its contents in Milan were destroyed during an Allied bombing raid in 1942 during World War II. He spent much of the remainder of his life creating reliefs of religious scenes, but animals remained ever in his focus.
Height: 24 in x width: 14 1/2 in x depth: 24 1/2 in. There are no major dents, breaks, losses, or restorations. Wear and weathering throughout and signs of exposure to the elements. Verdigris patination throughout. Some accretions along the lower areas of the sculpture. Some dirt/dust collected in the recessed areas of the work. Dirt/dust collected along the underside and interior of the work.