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ID #SA1245155
FOR SALE
£645
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After Wolfgang Hugo Rheinhold (1853-1900) -Bronze 'Ape with Skull'.
For sale by Harrington Antiques
for sale €755     $819
£645
Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2021
Browse dealers 64 items
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    Antiques & decorative interior pieces.
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Id #SA1245155
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After Wolfgang Hugo Rheinhold (1853-1900) -Bronze 'Ape with Skull'.

1900 - 1920
Description

An early 20th century bronze after Wolfgang Hugo Rheinhold's (1853-1900) famous Affe Mit Schädel ('Ape with Skull').

The piece is a satirical and philosophical commentary on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, human arrogance, and existential reflection. It playfully mirrors both Shakespeare's Hamlet (holding Yorick's skull) and Auguste Rodin's The Thinker.

The bronze is of good scale and colour. There is small crack to the lower back of the marble base (please see photographs) but overall the whole presents very well indeed.

Dimensions:-

Height: 32cm

Width: 12cm

Depth: 13cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Date of Manufacture

Harrington Antiques has dated this Bronze Ape with Skull to the 1900s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
32cm (12.60")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
13cm (5.12")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1245155
Dealers Internal Reference
8077
Dealers Notes

PAYMENT

We accept payment via debit card, credit card, Paypal, bank transfer or cheque. We also offer a 'Pay In 3' payment service through our website.

RETURNS

We are sure that you will be delighted with your purchase. Nonetheless, to ensure you have complete peace of mind, we offer a 14 day money back guarantee.

The purchased item may be returned, in its original condition, within 14 days from receipt. Return carriage costs are the responsibility of the buyer. For larger pieces requiring a specialist courier service, we will arrange your return for you with the cost being deducted from the refund (this cost will never exceed the original charge paid).

We ask that a trackable signature method of shipping is used for the return of smaller items as we cannot be held responsible for items lost in transit.

Should you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Description
An early 20th century bronze after Wolfgang Hugo Rheinhold's (1853-1900) famous Affe Mit Schädel ('Ape with Skull').
“
The piece is a satirical and philosophical commentary on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, human arrogance, and existential reflection.
Harrington Antiques

It playfully mirrors both Shakespeare's Hamlet (holding Yorick's skull) and Auguste Rodin's The Thinker.

fig 1. A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base.
fig 1. After Wolfgang Hugo Rheinhold (1853-1900) -Bronze 'Ape with Skull'.

The bronze is of good scale and colour. There is small crack to the lower back of the marble base (please see photographs) but overall the whole presents very well indeed.

Dimensions:-

Height: 32cm

Width: 12cm

Depth: 13cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Date of Manufacture

Harrington Antiques has dated this Bronze Ape with Skull to the 1900s.

Height
32cm (12.60")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
13cm (5.12")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1245155
Dealers Internal Ref
8077
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2021

Antiques & decorative interior pieces.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Harrington Antiques Profile Page

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A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base.
1 / 12
Archive I A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base.

After Wolfgang Hugo Rheinhold (1853-1900) -Bronze 'Ape with Skull'.

Archive II A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View II
Archive III A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View III
Archive IV A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View IV
Archive V A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View V
Archive VI A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View VI
Archive VII A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View VII
Archive VIII A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View VIII
Archive IX A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View IX
Archive X A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View X
Archive XI A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View XI
Archive XII A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques
Telephone 07552 767190
Location
Devon
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/harringtonantiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
Items For Sale 64
Items Sold 867
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Devon, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/harringtonantiques
Verified
Mar 2021
For Sale
64
Sold
867
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base.
After Wolfgang Hugo Rheinhold (1853-1900) -Bronze 'Ape With Skull'.
Ref: SA1245155
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting an ape seated on a stack of books, contemplating a human skull, mounted on a round green marble base.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleSymbolism
  • MaterialBronze, Marble
  • ColourDark Brown, Green
  • MotifsChimpanzee figure, Human skull, Stack of books, Round marble plinth
  • SizeH 32 cm (13 in) x W 12 cm (5 in) x D 13 cm (5 in)

This early 20th century Symbolism bronze sculpture depicts a seated chimpanzee contemplating a human skull while resting atop a stack of books. The dark brown patinated metal figure shows intricate fur detailing, expressive facial features, and text inscribed upon the books including the word Darwin. The stacked books feature distinct lettering and page block textures, while the chimpanzee holds the skull in one hand and touches its chin with the other. The entire piece mounts onto a solid round green marble plinth with visible natural stone grain patterns and a small crack on the lower back section. Standing 32 cm high, 12 cm wide, and 13 cm deep, the sculpture works well placed on an office desk or within a gentleman's library interior. It provides a striking decorative talking point when displayed on a bookshelf, writing desk, or mantelpiece in a study or home office.

FAQs

Created originally by German sculptor Wolfgang Hugo Rheinhold in 1892, Affe mit Schadel (Ape with Skull) gained wide recognition at the Great Berlin Art Exhibition. The work depicts a chimpanzee seated on books, including one inscribed Darwin, holding a human skull in a manner reminiscent of Shakespeares Hamlet, reflecting late nineteenth-century debates surrounding evolutionary theory.

Sculptures of this period were typically cast in bronze using either the lost-wax (cire perdue) or sand-casting method. After casting, the cold bronze was hand-chased to refine details and treated with chemical patination solutions to achieve dark brown, black, or greenish tones before being mounted on a marble or stone base.

Authentic period castings usually exhibit precise chasing around finer details such as fingers, fur texture, and lettering on the books. Look for foundry marks, artist signatures etched into the bronze base, crisp cold-work, appropriate weight, and natural wear to the patina around handling areas.

Small figurative bronzes make effective focal points when placed on mahogany desks, open shelving units, or mantelpieces. Setting the sculpture alongside leather-bound books or scientific instruments reinforces a traditional studio or study aesthetic.

Dust the bronze gently with a soft microfibre cloth or horsehair brush. Avoid chemical cleaners or abrasive liquids; applying a light coat of clear microcrystalline wax once a year preserves the patinated surface. Clean the marble base separately with a damp cloth and mild neutral pH soap.
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