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Bronze Statue

Profile picture for user Daowlis1951
By Daowlis1951, 7 May, 2025
Description

Bronze statue holding a sword and scales of Justice

Category
General Antiques and Collectibles
Medium
Bronze, fine detail
Distinguishing marks
No makers marks
Condition
Good
Size and dimensions of this item
730 cm high
History
Purchased in Melaka, Malaysia and presumed to be from English from East Indies period
Price Paid (If known)
$Aus750
For Sale?
Yes
Photos
Profile picture for user Charley

Charley

4 hours 13 min ago

Bronze Statue of Lady Justice (Justitia) Blindfolded with Sword

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.

No votes yet
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