Bronze Statue

Item Overview:

• Type: Freestanding sculpture of Lady Justice (Justitia)
• Material: Likely cast bronze, with fine detailing and a light verdigris patina
• Height: Approx. 730 mm (73 cm / ~28.7 inches) – tabletop to medium pedestal size
• Style: Classical/Art Nouveau influence, with flowing robes and a naturalistic pose
• Features:
  • Blindfolded woman holding scales of justice and sword
  • Snake underfoot, symbolizing evil or deception
  • Well-proportioned base, possibly solid bronze or bronze-on-marble

Symbolism and Iconography:

Lady Justice, or Justitia, is a personification of moral force in judicial systems. Key elements:

• Blindfold: Impartiality
• Scales: Weighing truth and fairness
• Sword: Authority and swift justice
• Snake beneath feet: Triumph over evil or corruption

This version closely follows 19th–early 20th century European bronze traditions, likely influenced by French or Italian casting styles, but lacks hallmarking.

Origin & History:

• Purchased in Melaka, Malaysia, a city with strong colonial ties, particularly to the British during the 19th–20th century.
• Style and construction suggest a European export piece, possibly made in the late 19th century to mid-20th century.
• Bronze statuary was a common decorative import for administrative, legal, and colonial offices — especially iconic figures like Lady Justice.

Condition:

• Good overall: Some surface oxidation (green patina) visible, typical of untreated bronze.
• No visible breaks or missing elements.
• Scales are intact and hanging evenly, which is often a fragile point in similar figures.

🏷 Estimated Market Value (as of 2025):

Context

Estimated Value (USD)

Private Sale

$500 – $900

Gallery or Auction

$1,000 – $1,500

With Maker Attribution

$1,500 – $2,500+

🔍 Recommendation:

• Professional appraisal recommended if:
  • You can identify a signature (possibly under the base or on rear hem of robe)
  • You plan to sell at auction or insure the piece
• Consider cleaning by a conservator only if value justifies; patina can affect marketability.

This statue would appeal to collectors of legal art, bronze statuary, or colonial decorative art.