-Lion c. 1920 - 1930

This Lion was made by the A. C. Williams Company, and I love its practical simplicity. The lion is rendered in these muted, metallic browns which are like an exercise in reduction, paring back and remixing the possibilities of a single hue. The casting creates this mottled texture which makes the whole sculpture feel as though it has been aged and weathered by time. Look closely at the mane of the lion; it has these wonderful cascading curves, so sharp and clearly delineated. It's these fine details that give the piece its character and charm. The lion is not just an image, but an object with its own history, use, and patina of age. The A.C. Williams Company shares something in common with the work of artists like Haim Steinbach, in their elevation of the everyday object, as a starting point for artistic reflection. This piece feels like a celebration of the dignity and importance of the everyday.