Bronze Figural Sculpture Pair — Waiting Room Scene, Mid-Century, 1960s

A woman reads the morning paper. A man talks on the telephone, legs stretched out, entirely at ease. Two figures, one moment — the quiet theatre of a waiting room or office, caught in cast bronze with the economy and wit of the best mid-century hand.

OBJECT DETAILS An ideal piece for collectors of Mid-Century Modern sculpture, interior designers sourcing intimate figurative objects with strong artistic presence, or for film and TV prop buyers seeking period-accurate decorative sculpture.

A pair of cast bronze figural sculptures, each depicting a seated figure in a tulip-form chair with characteristic splayed wire legs. The larger figure — a woman — holds an open newspaper, leaning forward in absorbed reading; the smaller figure — a man — reclines with a telephone receiver held to his ear, legs extended in relaxed conversation. The corpuses are solid cast bronze with a rich dark patina and organic surface texture consistent with hand-finished casting. The chair frames and limbs are formed from forged and bent metal rod, welded or brazed to the cast bodies — a mixed technique characteristic of European studio metalwork of the 1950s–1960s. The scene evokes the familiar choreography of a mid-century office or waiting room — each figure absorbed in their own world, coexisting without acknowledging the other. Unsigned. European, Mid-Century Modern, circa 1960s. Maker unknown.

DIMENSIONS Larger figure (woman): H 11.5cm (H 4.5") — Smaller figure (man): H 9cm (H 3.5"). Sold as a pair.

CONDITION REPORT In very good vintage condition, consistent with age and use. Rich dark bronze patina throughout. Natural surface variation consistent with hand-finished casting — not damage. No structural damage, no repairs. Both figures stand stably. Photographs form part of this description. Please review all images carefully as they document the piece's condition in full detail.

CURATOR'S NOTE Selected for the quality of their casting and the quiet comedy of their subject. A woman reads the paper. A man is on the phone. Neither acknowledges the other. It is 1962, and they are waiting — for what, we will never know. A pair that belongs on a desk, a bookshelf, or beside a telephone in any interior that values wit alongside beauty.

FULL FAQ:

What is the condition of this piece? Very good vintage condition, consistent with age and use. Rich dark bronze patina throughout. Natural surface variation from hand-finished casting — not damage. No structural damage, no repairs. Both figures stand stably. Photographs form part of this description — please review all images carefully.

What are the exact dimensions? Larger figure (woman): H 11.5cm (H 4.5"). Smaller figure (man): H 9cm (H 3.5"). Sold as a pair.

Where does this piece come from? European, Mid-Century Modern, circa 1960s. Unsigned — maker unknown. The quality of casting and mixed technique suggest studio or artisan production rather than mass manufacture.

Do you ship internationally? Yes — Fontaine London ships worldwide. Prices shown include duties and taxes for your country (DDP — Delivered Duty Paid), so there are no surprise charges on delivery. Shipping cost is calculated at checkout.

Is this piece suitable for film or TV prop use? Yes — this piece is period-accurate for 1960s office and waiting room interiors and is available for prop hire enquiries. Please contact us directly to discuss.

What is your returns policy? We offer a 14-day return policy for items that do not match their description. As all pieces are one-of-a-kind vintage items, we ask buyers to review all photographs and the condition report carefully before purchasing. Photographs form part of the item description.