Torch-cut brass sculpture of lilies, mounted on a Burlwood base, by Gerd Scharrelmann. This brutalist sculpture is surprisingly elegant and has a delightful kinetic effect. The flowers and stems shiver, producing a delicate shimmer of sound when moving.

Scharrelmann (1932 - 2001), was an American artist working in San Francisco during the 1960s and 1970s. His sculptures sold at Pier 39 pre-commercialisation, and from his own studio 'Sculpture 70'.

He produced small sculptures for domestic decoration, using torch-cut brass, wire and burlwood. This technique was employed by Brutalist sculptors for its simplicity and live-edge effect on materials. The raw materiality of the Brutalist style was popular during the 1960s and 70s resurgence in folk craft and natural finishes, especially for small ornaments and wall decorations, such as those by Curtis Jere and Paul Evans in the US and Stephen Chun in Hong Kong.

This particular sculpture has its roots in the arts of Bonsai and Ikebana, and dates to the early 1970s. It is made of brass sheet, torch-cut and assembled using wire to form the stems and stamens of the flowers.

Mounted on burl wood, possibly driftwood, it beautifully supports the natural character of the flowers. It's a lovely sculpture to sit somewhere close to light and seating, where it can be appreciated in it's intricacy. Petals and leaves can be bent and arranged as you please, with care.

MEASURES:

38cm H x 20cm W x 15cm D

CONDITION:

Very good. Clean and sound. Gentle wear consistent with age and careful use. Obvious age and patina on both brass and wood. It can by polished but we've elected not to do so in case the buyer wants the patina intact.