Lot 599: Bashka Paeff (American, 1893-1979)

Boy and Bird
Signed and dated "BASHKA PAEFF 1926" l.r., stamped "IDEAL CASTING CO.
PROV. RI" on the reverse.
Bronze sculpture (piped as a garden fountain), height 30 in. (76.2 cm).
Condition: Damage to arm, missing bird, wear/oxidation to surface.

Provenance: Property of James Kourafas from the estate of George E. Belcher, Stoughton, Massachusetts.

N.B. Paeff immigrated to Boston as a child from Minsk, Russia. She studied at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts School and paid for her art education by selling subway tokens at the Park Street T station. She was a fellow of the National Sculpture Society.

Two versions of this work were cast by Paeff. One was commissioned for the Belcher House in Stoughton, the other for the Boston Public Garden near the Arlington Street entrance. The latter is still on view in the Garden.