A horse statue with legs raised in the air is said to signify that the rider was killed in battle. Although this is a common belief among some equestrians and artisans alike, this designation is not universally applied.
Horse Statue Meaning of Legs Raised December 24, 2013 araho If a statue depicting a person on a horse with both front legs in the air, the person died in a battle.
In referring to statues of mounted war heroes, there is a hidden meaning to the position of the horses legs that will tell you how the general, or other high ranking officer, died. If all four hooves of the horse are on the ground, the general died at peace in his home.
Even the most cursory look at the statues around Washington, D.C. quickly disproves that the hoof code at all holds sway in that locale. Washington is home to more equestrian statues than any other city in the nation, and it’s significant that perhaps only 10 out of 30 or more follow the convention.
James Longstreet wasn't wounded in this battle yet his horse has one foot raised. (illustration from Longstreet page) The article has a pretty good list of statues that do and don't match the "tradition".
What is the logic behind the positions of a horse's legs in … What is the meaning of a horse statue with its legs … What is the symbolism behind horse statues?
In Tacca's sculpture, atop a fountain composition that forms the centerpiece of the façade of the Royal Palace, the horse rears, and the entire weight of the sculpture balances on the two rear legs, and discreetly, its tail, a novel feat for a statue of this size.
What is meaning if the horse statue that one leg up? … What is the meaning of a statue of a horse with its legs raised? … Why do some horses of statues have legs up?
Winchester’s raised leg symbolizes … [as seen in another Chicago statue] are on the ground, meaning he … we find photos of six freestanding horse statues …
The person who cast that sculpture, Clark Mills, was the first sculptor in the United States to cast a horse with a rider where the horse has some of its legs in the air (in this case both)- at this point it was more of a mark of the skill of the artist to have the horse with legs in the air rather than any sort of tradition relating to battle and death.
Material: The material of the statue is then decided by the client. The sculptor may also use a small clay model to better portray his conception of the design. The clay model can be modified to fine tune the client’s wishes.
Mini-Sculpture: Finally, the bronze sculpture artist may finalize the miniature model of the final design in order to give the client a preview into how the final product will look. This model is made using the material decided, and it can be used by the client for marketing purposes so that he can raise funds for the sculpture.
Creating the Backbone: The backbone of the bronze statue, also called the armature consists of a steel frame with foam added to it in order to resemble the rough outline of the final product. This is then sealed with a latex coat to secure it.
The Sculpting: The main work starts only now. Many pounds of hot clay are used and applied by hand to “block in” the design for the first time. The bronze sculpture artist then invests a lot of time adding more clay, removing some clay and molding the clay until the final product finally resembles the required design. Tiny details are added on to give more preciseness to the bronze statue and make it more real.
Remove dust with a damp cloth.
Do not use metal objects or wire brushes to clean the sculpture.
Do not apply abrasives or cleansers that will possibly scratch the finish.
ZUD – Non- Abrasive Cleaner. Use to remove stubborn stains. Zud cleans all metal surfaces including bronze. Zud can be used in powder or liquid form.
Lemon Oil – Apply a small amount of oil with a paintbrush or soft cloth. Cover the entire figure with oil. Wipe the surface gently with a soft cloth to take off the excess oil.
Paste Wax- A very thin, even coat of wax should be applied with a soft cloth. Allow the wax to sit and dry before polishing. Wax should be applied after bronze has been cleaned and dried. Do not apply if using lemon oil.
Do Nothing: Many bronze owners prefer to sit back and enjoy the natural reaction and aging process of their sculpture.
What kind of sculpture is right for me?
We have a tremendous inventory of existing designs and unique items that we have been collecting for many years. After reviewing the website, Contact Us if you are unable to find what you are looking for.
Ancient Sculpture Gallery is proud to present you with lost wax bronze reproductions of statues and busts from the Egyptian, Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Asian Oriental, and Western civilizations. “Lost Wax” bronze (or hot-cast bronze) is actually 100% pure Bronze – essentially copper and tin. The making of a “lost wax” bronze is a complex and time consuming process, and specific technical expertise is needed to accomplish the task of making a bronze. The most known and used process for making “lost wax” involves pouring of molten bronze. This is the same method used by the ancient civilizations to create bronze sculptures. Our lost wax bronze sculptures are produced in this same technique.