Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
S.1944.002 |
Object Name |
Sculpture |
Description |
"Cycle of Life" by Paul Howard Manship (1885-1966) "The sundial is in the shape of an armillary sphere, an astronomical instrument composed of rings representing the great circles of the heavens. On the outside of the widest band, the belt of the equator, are the signs of the zodiac; inside are Roman numerals for the hours of the day, the time indicated by the shadow of a shaft placed at the axis of the earth, pointing due north and south, the tip of which is decorated by the North Star between two griffins. Opposite the numbers is the globe of the moon flanked by reclining figures - a woman representing evening, drawing a veil over her head, an owl at her feet; and a man representing morning, uncovering his head as a cock crows. On the eliptic are the names of the divisions of the zodiac. The four elements are suggested by conventional decorative motifs: water by a wave pattern, and earth by a row of mounds on the base; air by a sinuous line on one of the rings, and fire by rays and flames on the broad meridian band. On the base, within the rings, a man and a woman kneel facing each other, holding a boy standing between them with arms folded on his breast, a pivot for the globe. This group symbolizes the cycle of life encompassed by the cycle of eternity. The sphere rests on a ring of turtles, emblems of eternity. This sundial was originally designed in small size in 1920 and cast in an edition of twelve examples. It was enlarged in 1924 for the garden of Mrs. E.H. Harriman at Arden, New York, and three additional examples were cast." ("Brookgreen Gardens Sculpture", Beatrice Gilman Proske, 1968, p.290-291) |
Date |
© 1924 |
Artist |
Manship, Paul Howard |
Dimensions |
H-156.3 Dia-120.65 cm |
Collection |
Art Objects |
Signed Name |
PAUL MANSHIP 1924 © |
Signature Location |
Top of Base |
Medium |
Metal |
Material |
Gilt Bronze |
Technique |
Cast |
Current Location |
Arboretum : Opuntia Pond |