Description
This is a very rare original Adolf Hitler bronze desk bust on marble base. It is a wellknown design from wellknown artist Hedwig Maria Ley (H. M. Ley), and can be dated to 1932. The bust is of course signed with the name of H. M. Ley.
Measurement from the top of the head till the bottom of the marble base is approximately 24 centimeters. The base has a size of 9,2 x 9,2 x 6 centimeters.
Please note this is a bronze bust and NOT the bronze colored zinc bust that is more commonly encountered, tht is, IF you can ever find one. The here for sale offered bronze bust is a very rare item to encounter.
The overall condition is very good, there are some small age damages from handling, e.g. several small chips in the marble base and some typical old (minor) scratches in the bronze. Overall i’d rate it very good. The Ley busts are considered to be the best and most collectable Hitlerbusts that were ever made pre-1945. This is an impressive collectable that would make a great addition to any serious art- or museumdisplay.
A bit more background on H. M. Ley (taken from Wikipedia):
Hedwig Maria Ley (born April 28, 1888 in Soest ; † December 12, 1978 ) was a German sculptor .
Ley studied at the applied arts school in Munich and became a student of Hans Stangl from 1920 . She sympathized with the Nazi movement and was personally acquainted with Adolf Hitler . The Hitler bust made by her in 1932 was the first Hitler work of art authorized by the party. This bust has been reproduced many times and in various sizes and materials. In the following years she made several works in bronze, including busts of Paul von Hindenburg and Gottlieb Daimler . Since 1932 she lived in Düsseldorf, where she shared the studio with Heinrich Moshage.
Ps: i included two pictures found vi Google of Ley, showing her working on the AH bust in het studio.
