Exceptional Casting of Statue of Liberty

SOLD

American, late 19th c. Cast iron, painted surface. Condition: Appears to retain the original paint; weathered surface with some loss and pitting. Provenance: Private collection, Flushing New York. This rare large scale example of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, holding a torch in her uplifted right hand and a tablet in her left arm evoking the law, upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776 is an icon of freedom and a welcoming signal to immigrants arriving to the United States. The original statue was created and designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886. Castings in iron of this scale with carefully rendered details of the face and drapery were produced by notable foundries such as Fiske and Mott Iron Works during the late 19th c. Although figures of Lady Liberty are scarce there are a few examples of this scale known to come on the market. We believe this example is rare also for its state of preservation.