189: CECIL CARSTENSON AND OTHER WORKS OF MODERN ART

1) A SMALL MID 20C. BRONZE SCULPTURE OF ABSTRACTED FIGURE The unsigned Modernist sculpture is attributed to a Jodie Noel in the seller's notes and titled Cello Player.

2) CECIL CARSTENSON (1906-1991) LINDEN WOOD SCULPTURE. Laura (Third quarter of the 20th century.) The beautifully chiseled sculpture is a nice example of Carstenson's Modernist approach and displays an interesting figuring of hardwood grain aged to a warm honey-colored patina. Known for his carved abstract sculptures in wood, Carstensen studied at the Kansas City, Art, Institute, the University of Nebraska, and the Chicago art Institute. While working full-time at the Kansas City Power Light Company, his free time was devoted to his art. During the 1950s and 1960s, he became widely known in the Midwest for his sculptures which were exhibited at The Jocelyn Museum, the Nelson Atkins Museum, the Denver Art Museum, the Mulvane Art Center in Topeka and the St. Louis Art Museum and, apparently, others; since this sculpture is accompanied by a small tri-fold pamphlet from the 1960s exhibition of Cecil's sculpture and his wife Blanche's graphics at the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg, Kansas.

3) FRED BATSON wheel thrown stoneware bowl in green glaze is initialed under the base.

4) KAREN BELL slab-built type stoneware bowl with short pedestal foot and hanger is carved back sgraffito style from glazed to unglazed in designs of Anasazi inspiration. The work is signed under the foot.
Bronze measures 8.25 x 3 x 2 inches. Laura measures 12 x 8 x 6.5 inches. Studio pottery measures 6.75 x 14 and 5 x 13 inches.
Very good condition, noting the bronze figure is loose on its base, spins in place, and there are corresponding scratches in the wood base. There are no other chips, cracks, repairs, scratches or areas of heavy wear.
Provenance: The Robert W. Steinbach Trust and Steinbach Family Collection, Kansas City, Missouri.
$300 - $500