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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: railman44 on January 20, 2010, 03:49:43 PM

Title: Another Native American sculpture
Post by: railman44 on January 20, 2010, 03:49:43 PM
This one stands about 6" counting the spear.  Riley is the artist and he is unlisted.  Very well done and well detailed.  Dates in the 1970's.  Very tough to find out anything regarding Riley except he lived in Oklahoma.  It too is numbered.
  (http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo93/railman44/reily4.jpg)
Title: Re: Another Native American sculpture
Post by: heavydude on January 20, 2010, 04:13:05 PM
You're probably looking at $50 to $100 for that one.

Even though a particular artist might make a limited run, there are thousands of artists turning out hundreds of thousands of bronzes.

One store on the internet boasted 3000 bronzes in stock.

I'd call that saturating the market with a supply much greater than demand.

Believe me, I know what it's like to have nice, quality pieces that aren't worth much but I keep them because I like them.

Title: Re: Another Native American sculpture
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on January 21, 2010, 12:52:42 AM
I wasn't so crazy about the first one, but this one is really neat. Love the "edgy" look he has to him with the paint around the eyes and the spear. Lots of personality. I didn't have any luck finding anything on the artist though.
Title: Re: Another Native American sculpture
Post by: railman44 on January 21, 2010, 02:01:31 AM
I wasn't so crazy about the first one, but this one is really neat. Love the "edgy" look he has to him with the paint around the eyes and the spear. Lots of personality. I didn't have any luck finding anything on the artist though.
A rare artist.  A univeristy in California has some of his creations but wouldn't elaberate on history or where they got them.  He was shown in a museum in Oklahoma City years back.  Supposedly, a real expert regarding equine sculpures.  I've never been able to find any other examples of his work for sale.  Why he isn't listed is a mystery to me.  There is no paint on this sculpture.
Title: Re: Another Native American sculpture
Post by: KC on January 21, 2010, 10:37:31 AM
Like Talesof, I really like this piece.  The artist captured so much depth in this one!!!

I will poke around some more to see if any of my Okie relatives know anything about Riley!
Title: Re: Another Native American sculpture
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on January 21, 2010, 12:44:35 PM
If he is living, have you thought about trying to contact him directly? Most artists are very happy to hear from people who admire their work!
Title: Re: Another Native American sculpture
Post by: railman44 on January 21, 2010, 03:20:24 PM
If he is living, have you thought about trying to contact him directly? Most artists are very happy to hear from people who admire their work!
I don't think he's living or he's a darn near a ghost.  Very difficult to find out anything about this guy.  I'm always on the lookout for other pieces he's done and never find any for sale or even observation.
Title: Re: Another Native American sculpture
Post by: KC on January 21, 2010, 04:49:38 PM
In case you didn't read this article about Jack go to Volume 24, Number 1 Winter 73-74 and click on that information on the left column.  Then go to the article about Jack written by  Ben Blackstock on Page 31. He started out as a watchmaker/jeweler. It says that he limits his sculptures usually to 15 but less than 25 because he gets tired of doing the same thing over and over.
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/oktoday/1970.html#51 (http://digital.library.okstate.edu/oktoday/1970.html#51)

He and several other artists were founding the "Oklahoma Western Artists Association" in Ok City.  He and his wife, Neta, have an art scholarship that they offer every year.
I haven't found any death notices for Jack Riley....however that may not be his given name!