Pair of Gilt Bronze Swans by Jack Zajac — Elegant American Abstract Masterworks

Jack Zajac — Pair Of Limited-Edition Bronze Swans, No. 18/95

An Expressive Pair Of American Modernist Bronzes With Documented Gorringes Provenance

Highlights

• Important pair of bronze swan sculptures by Jack Zajac (American, b. 1929)

• One sculpture signed Zajac and numbered 18/95

• Beautiful polished golden bronze surfaces

• Distinctive biomorphic treatment of natural form

• Separate polished black presentation plinths

• Documented Gorringes auction provenance

• Sold at Gorringes, Lewes, 9 July 2023, Lot 1262

• Original auction invoice retained

• Surviving Gorringes lot label

• Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

• Supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution from Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Introduction

A sophisticated pair of bronze swans by the distinguished American sculptor Jack Zajac (b. 1929), combining the sensuous qualities of polished bronze with the expressive biomorphic vocabulary for which the artist is recognised.

One sculpture bears the incised signature Zajac together with the limited-edition number 18/95.

The familiar form of the swan has been radically distilled. Broad, flowing bodies provide the foundation for dramatically elongated wings which rise almost architecturally from the composition, creating a compelling balance between mass, movement and negative space.

Their polished golden surfaces respond beautifully to changing light, while areas of naturally developed patination and wear introduce tonal complexity and evidence of the sculptures' history.

Presented together, they form an exceptionally strong sculptural ensemble.

Catalogue Details

Artist: Jack Zajac (American, b. 1929)

Subject: Pair of swans

Medium: Bronze with polished golden surfaces

Edition: One signed and numbered 18/95

Presentation: Each mounted upon a polished black plinth

Period: 20th century

Style: American Modernism / Biomorphic Sculpture / Abstract Figuration

Documented Auction: Gorringes, Lewes, 9 July 2023, Lot 1262

Gorringes Catalogue Description: A pair of bronze swans on ebonised plinths, one signed and numbered 18/95.

Catalogue Note

Throughout his sculptural practice, Jack Zajac repeatedly turned towards organic subjects as vehicles for investigating mass, movement and transformation.

The swan is particularly suited to this vocabulary. Its characteristic combination of broad body, elongated neck and expansive wings allows the natural form to be reduced almost to abstraction without losing its essential identity.

In this pair, the sculptor has emphasised sweeping planes and highly controlled curves. The wings rise from the bodies as dramatically attenuated vertical elements, producing silhouettes which change substantially as the sculptures are viewed in the round.

Their presentation as a pair creates an additional visual dialogue. Because each bronze occupies its own plinth, their relationship can be subtly altered through positioning, allowing their profiles to oppose, overlap or complement one another.

Light is equally important to the composition. The polished golden bronze catches and redirects its surroundings across broad convex and concave surfaces, creating a continually changing visual experience.

The Artist

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1929, Jack Zajac developed an important career within post-war American sculpture.

His practice encompasses both figurative and abstract approaches, with recurring subjects including animals, skulls, water and other organic forms. Through these subjects Zajac developed a highly individual vocabulary concerned with transformation, movement and the expressive possibilities of sculptural mass.

Working particularly in bronze and stone, he became associated with the development of West Coast American sculpture while maintaining a wider national institutional presence.

Zajac's work has been exhibited by major American institutions and is represented within significant museum collections, confirming his established position within twentieth-century American sculpture.

Provenance

Private collection.

Gorringes, Lewes, East Sussex, Weekly Sale, 9 July 2023, Lot 1262.

The pair was catalogued by Gorringes as bronze swans by Jack Zajac, on ebonised plinths, one signed and numbered 18/95.

Acquired from the above sale.

Original Gorringes auction invoice retained.

Surviving Gorringes lot label attached beneath one of the plinths.

Subsequently curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Dimensions

Sculpture A:

Height: approximately 22 cm
Width: approximately 13 cm
Depth: approximately 26 cm
Weight: approximately 6 kg

Sculpture B:

Height: approximately 25.5 cm
Width: approximately 13 cm
Depth: approximately 26 cm
Weight: approximately 5 kg

Gorringes recorded the pair in 2023 at approximately 28 cm long and 22 cm high.

Measurements and weights are approximate.

Condition Report

Presented in vintage condition with naturally developed surface character consistent with age, handling and previous display.

The bronze surfaces show areas of patination, rubbing, scratches, abrasions, marks and variation to the polished golden finish. Wear is particularly apparent across portions of the wings and other exposed areas.

Rather than presenting as uniformly polished bronzes, the surfaces now possess a varied character combining brighter golden passages with deeper, naturally aged tonal areas.

The polished black plinths display scratches and localised abrasions associated with previous display.

One replacement fixing bolt has been added beneath one base.

No structural damage has been observed during our inspection.

The accompanying photographs provide a detailed visual record of the sculptures and their present condition and should be examined carefully.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available.

The pair will be professionally packed for transit, with particular care given to the substantial weight, projecting wings, bronze surfaces and polished plinths.

Tracked and insured delivery will be arranged where available.

Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Attribution and Research

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.

Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.

Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.