Vintage Sculptures by Sergio Bustamante
Have you ever spotted a sculpture by artist, Sergio Bustamante? Many of his works, especially his vintage three-dimensional brass and copper animals, are rare and highly sought after by dealers and collectors around the world.
Sergio Bustamante is a Mexican sculptor best known for his metal animal creatures. In fact, in 2011, his works were used in the Christmas "Carnival of the Animals” window display at New York City’s Bergdorf Goodman. It was a stunning “Brass Menagerie” of metal and mirror designed by window dresser, David Hoey. During my recent trip to Florida, I saw several Sergio Bustamante pieces at the Palm Beach Antique & Design Center and at Brass Scale Antiques - both on Dixie Highway. My friend, Lisbeth Barron, is also an avid collector - she has nearly a dozen pieces decorating her home.
Here are some photos - enjoy.
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- This is a copper and brass lion by artist, Sergio Bustamante – Lisbeth’s newest addition to her collection. She purchased it from Palm Beach Antique & Design Center owned by Simonette Hakim and John Salibello.
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- The lion is 50-inches long, 33-inches high and 17-inches deep. Sergio’s animals are also hollow making them a lot lighter than other sculptures – another characteristic of his work that makes these pieces so rare.
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- This flamingo, part of Lisbeth’s own “Bustamante menagerie”, is 43-inches tall and is also made of mixed metals – brass and copper. Each piece in Lisbeth’s collection was made by hand in the 1950s and 1960s.
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- The three-dimensional creatures are the most sought after by experts around the world, especially in Mexico, the United States, Japan, Europe, and Russia.
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- Here is a mixed metal flamingo, which was left unpolished to show the patina. It is currently for sale at the Palm Beach Antique & Design Center. (Photo provided by Palm Beach Antique & Design Center)
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- Here is a brass and copper bird by Sergio Bustamante hanging in Lisbeth’s home – the perch is also made of brass. Sergio actually studied architecture at the University of Guadalajara, but abandoned this pursuit when his interests drew him to fine arts and crafts.
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- In this photo, you can see where Sergio used brass and where he implemented copper. Sergio gave his first exhibit at the Galeria Misracha in Mexico City in 1966. In the early 1970s, he traveled to Europe, and then returned to Guadalajara and helped establish the “Family Workshop Studio” in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico in 1975.
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- This larger snail has a brass shell, but a body made out of papier mache. While Bustamante’s works originally focused on painting and paper mache, his most well-known pieces were made of metal, such as brass, bronze and copper.
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- Here is the front of the snail showing more of the papier mache body. If you’re not familiar, papier mâché is a composite material consisting of paper pieces or pulp, bound with an adhesive, such as glue, starch, or wallpaper paste.
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- This iguana is made out of brass and ceramic – the green areas of his body are ceramic. Sergio also experimented with this medium in some of his works. Working with ceramic allowed him to add more color and form.
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- In this photo, it is easier to see where the metal and ceramic meet.
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- This egg covered with snails is also made out of ceramic and brass. It is one of Lisbeth’s smaller pieces, but still so intricate in sculpture. Sergio uses great care in every piece he creates. Each piece belongs to a limited edition and therefore unique.
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- The is a brass monkey by Sergio. This whimsical yet detailed example hangs from the top railing of Lisbeth’s staircase.
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- This zebra is one of the larger sculptures in Lisbeth’s collection. It is 53-inches long, 52-inches high and 18-inches deep.
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- After Lisbeth purchases her pieces she has them polished – the mane on this zebra was left unpolished to show the patina.
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- Over the holidays, Lisbeth borrowed this standing three-dimensional reindeer from her sister, Judy, who owns Brass Scale Antiques. It is now back at the shop waiting for its “forever home”.
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- The reindeer’s body is brass while its antlers are copper. After Sergio’s pieces were displayed in New York City’s Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window several years ago, the demand for his works soared.
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- In fact, the Mexican government uses his art work for official gifts to state governors and to other high personalities. Here is the front of the reindeer – it stands about 30-inches tall at the withers.
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- This parrot hangs from a doorway at Brass Scale Antiques – also made of mixed metals, brass and copper.
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- We saw this beautiful wall sculpture at the Palm Beach Antique & Design Center. This dolphin is quite long at 60-inches, and 33-inches fin to fin, but it is only seven-inches deep. Lisbeth loves this piece also – perhaps it will one day become part of her growing collection.
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- This is a brass and copper hanging toucan. It is 23-inches high, 15-inches wide and 13-inches deep and sits on a copper perch. It is also for sale at Palm Beach Antique & Design Center.
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- This is a panther, which is 33-inches tall by 31-inches wide and 23-inches deep. This is another great example of how Sergio’s pieces look unpolished. (Photo provided by Palm Beach Antique & Design Center)
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- And here is a mixed metal sun currently at Palm Beach Antique & Design Center. It is 40-inches in diameter. Most of the face is made of brass, while the eyes and rays are made of copper – such beautiful pieces by such a talented artist. (Photo provided by Palm Beach Antique & Design Center)
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