Alfred David Lenz, American, 1872-1926, "Bacchante", a nude maiden holding a natural pearl aloft, bronze, signed LENZ 1920.
Provenance: accompanied by two original 1928 receipts from Tiffany & Co, 192 for $250 with original owner's information
Artist birth place: Fond du Lac, WI , Death place: Havana, Cuba , Exhibited: PAFA Ann., 1916-17, 1920-22, 1925; Society of Independent Artists,1922. In collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Cleveland Museum of Art; and the Newark Museum. The artist was also the author of 1924 book "The Alfred David Lenz System of Lost Wax" Casting
(SMAI1000)(TC)
Measurements: Figure 6 3/4" H, with integrated bronze plinth 9 2/3 H, with marble base and overall 12 1/2" NOTE: additional photos added 4/5/2016H

Condition: dusty; irregularly gilt blossoms, possibly artist's intent; a tiny glued repair to one bottom corner of the marble base above the protective felt.
Property Title: Property from the family estate of the late Samford and Dorothy Maier of New York and Connecticut.
Samford Maier was a descendent of Rabbi Joseph Kornfeld, who was named "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary" to Persia by his fellow Ohioan, Warren G. Harding in 1921. Persia was an important, but politically unstable, oil producer at that time. In 1924, an American consular official was beaten to death by a mob, after which the embassy and Kornfeld were withdrawn.
An inscribed c. 1924 carpet (to be featured in our July Auction) and the 12 Persian silver dishes in this sale came into the family during that time.
Dorothy Maier was descended from the owners of the American Sponge and Chamois Company, long prominent in supplying natural products, and early pioneers of synthetic sponges.
The mermaid statue was for many years in the lobby of their Long Island City headquarters and supplied the imagery for their well-known "Mermaid" brand.

dusty; irregularly gilt blossoms, possibly artist's intent; a tiny glued repair to one bottom corner of the marble base above the protective felt.