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The \"Counting Coup\" Chilmark Pewter Sculpture by Don Polland is a highly collectible piece depicting Native American culture in Western Americana. Handmade in the United States, the sculpture showcases intricate details and craftsmanship, making it a unique addition to any collection. Its provenance and ownership history add to its value as a symbol of cultural significance and artwork.
This limited edition vintagesculpture depicts a Native American hunter on horseback attacking someone witha spear.
Copyright: 1974 Edition number: 2658/2800 Medium: Pewter
7”tall x 6” w Weight:3.75 lb Condition:Excellent
DonPolland was born in California in 1932, and reared in Utah. His interest andinvolvement in art was apparent at an early age, especially the modeling ofthree-dimensional things. He made his own clay soldiers when these wereunattainable during World War II. His experiences with horses and cattle, whilewith his uncles, and the years spent as an apprentice jockey developed hisgreatest love - of which his work shows - the horse.
As a self-made artist, he is aware of the many shortcomings that come from thelack of academic training. But being the type of man he is, and having greatdetermination, he is working to overcome this with endless hours everyday inworking at his chosen occupation. He fills these hours with diligent practiceand study, research and experimentation.
Although Polland is capable and has worked in larger scales, he is greatlyattracted by the miniature field with the challenges and problems of thisintricate work. These works in bronze and precious metals are sometimes nolarger than 3 or 4 inches, yet they are occasionally of monumental content.
Polland\'s approach to sculpture is one of methodical thinking, with spontaneoussketches, (these sketches being in soft wax) and then methodically detailingand finishing. The idea comes first; mentally kicked around for a good deal oftime. Then a multitude of notes are made, where various possibilities are triedmentally. When a definite composition has been arrived at, quick sketches aremade in wax, working out such problems as action, relationship and mood. Attimes, these sketches change from the decided original concept, a problem hehas had to overcome. Polland found that this problem allowed no finished workto be completed, just experimentation. \"All mental ideas when transformedinto reality in three-dimensional form, produce new ideas. Sometimes theseideas have such strong attractions, that the original idea is forgotten andlost.\" After deciding on a final composition, each element is then refinedindividually, concentrating now on the anatomy and overall action. Eachabstracted unit is worked up from the sketch, using waxes of various hardnessand capabilities. Each element of the composition is taken to completion,constantly checking and rechecking the total feeling. It is in these steps,that methodical realism is pulled out of the sketch. His theory is to put intothe transit wax stage all the detail and surface texture or finish that isdesired in the metal sculpture. In the detailing stage, Polland tries tochallenge the art casting process. This accomplishes two things,experimentation with new knowledge for him and the art foundry, and a largeropportunity for expression and communication between artist and viewer.
His work is both. understandable and microscopically executed. There is acontinuing struggle between him and his medium, at times he is the victor, atothers the loser. But in art, to lose is to learn, thus to win. To say that heis a calculating man would be true, and a calculated loss as an experimentreturns to those who risk, the answers they are searching for.The work of Polland is created in limited editions, cast by the Cire-perdue orlost-wax process. They are now in many private collections and handled by many finegalleries.
Thissculpture was purchased new and treasured by a single collector for decades.Original box and paperwork are not included. It is in excellent condition. Freeshipping applies only to continental United States. Please contact seller withany questions or concerns.
