"THREE SOLDIERS IN BRONZE" - BY FREDERICK HART
FEATURED AT VIETNAM WALL - WASHINGTON DC

As a History Buff since Childhood, Many Different Forms of History became a Matter of Interest to Raleigh DeGeer Amyx. Although he had No Background in the Area of Art or Sculpture, there was One common Denominator that was Appealing to Mr. Amyx -- their Extraordinary Beauty. Accordingly, as Amyx Ventured from One Estate Sale to Another, One Auction to Another, One Collector to Another, He Began Dabbling in the Area of Art and Sculpture. In Order to Perfect his Technique of Understanding, there were Two Concepts that Stood to the Forefront: 1. Read and Retain. 2. Interact with as Many Experts in Whatever Field as Possible -- and Be Sure to Listen.

FREDERICK ELLIOT HART ADORNED THE NATIONAL CATHEDERAL IN WASHINGTON, DC WITH MANY OF HIS ARTISTIC CREATIONS

An Example of this would be his Connection with the Great Sculptor, Frederick Elliott Hart (Pictured above right in 1994), Renowned for his Many Artistic Creations that are a Major Part of the National Cathedral (Pictured above left) in Washington D.C., as well as his Three Soldiers in Bronze (Pictured at top) which is Featured at the Vietnam Wall in Washington. Mr. Amyx was Fortunate in that he was Introduced to the Renowned Sculptor and then a Personal Relationship Developed with Frederick Hart; and They Began Visiting each other in the Virginia Homes of each, which were separated by a mere 40 miles. As it turned out, Frederick Hart had a Serious Interest in Collecting anything of Historic Pertinence having to do with the Czar Nicholas II,
the Last Russian Czar.

And Mr. Amyx had in his Collection, Documents Signed by Czar Nicholas II. And since Mr. Amyx had a Serious Interest in the Art of Mr. Hart, they were able to Make Two or Three Trades of Mutual Interest. In Addition to the Hart pieces, that Mr. Amyx would sometimes locate in the Washington D.C. area, he would also run into Mettlach Stoneware, Alabaster Sculptures, Bronze Sculptures, and many other Quality Historic & Artistic Pieces.

RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX
AND FREDERICK HART
WITH "AWAKENING OF EVE"
IN THE AMYX HOME - 1997

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THE MELODRAMATIC
"THE DYING GAUL" - CIRCA 1870s

The Featured “Dying Gaul“, Accomplished by an Italian Artist Circa 1875,
rests on a very thick Agate-Green Heavy Marble Base. The Sculpture
was Accomplished in Alabaster by a Highly Skilled Italian Artist and measures 16"x27". The Statue Depicts a Dying Celt with a Remarkable Realism, particularly
in Body Structure. He represents a Gallic Warrior and is Shown Naked as he
Fights Against Death, Refusing to Accept his Fate.

THE WARRIOR LIES ON HIS FALLEN SHIELD
WITH SWORD RESTING BESIDE HIM

The Warrior lies on his Fallen Shield & Sword beside him. — The original “Dying Gaul” is thought to be Executed in Bronze, sometime between 230 BC and 220 BC; as Commissioned by Attalus I of Pergamon to Celebrate his Victory over the Celtic Galatians in Anatolia. Even the Identity of the Original Sculptor of this Extraordinary Masterpiece is unknown; although it has Been Suggested by some that it may have been by Epigonus, the Reigning Sculptor of his Era.

"THE DYING GAUL" - CIRCA 1870

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19TH CENTURY VICTORIAN SCULPTURE
OF A SISTER AND BROTHER

"SISTER & BROTHER" - CIRCA 1870-1880

The “Sister and Brother”, pictured above, is Accomplished in Alabaster
Measuring 16"x12". It was Created and Sculpted Circa 1870-1880 and Depicts
Two Children Resting/Dozing in a large Tufted Chair with Wrap-around Ruffle.
This Resplendent Rendition is Extremely Appealing to the Eye. Over the past
40 years or so, Mr. Amyx has attended many Auctions, usually in the Virginia Countryside, and would locate pieces for his Extensive Collection in the Most Unexpected Places. This Gracious Rendition is one of those.

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A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF THE TALENT OF
BRUNO ZACH - IVORY SCULPTURE CIRCA 1925

Bruno Zach (1891-1935) - This Striking Bronze Statue (Horse-Woman –
approximately 17"x17" including Beautiful Marble Base) of a Pedigree Horse
in Multiple Bronze Colors next to an Elegant Female Rider Slipping on her
Elegant White Ivory Gloves. The Artist, Bruno Zach (signature of Artist on the
above Sculpture is featured below right), often worked in Opulent combinations
of Hand-Carved Ivory with Bronze. Zach was one of the most skilled Art-Deco Sculptors, Especially between the years of 1918 to 1935. Often his Works were
of Females Dressed Skimpily in rather Racy Poses and Attire.

On April 19, 1997, Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Attended an Antique Exhibit at the Annual Show held in the Washington D.C. Area. And there Amyx ran into the Seller of the above Exquisite Bronze and Horse Statuary. At that time, Amyx was wearing Rocky Marciano’s Diamond Encrusted Watch on his Right Wrist and a Super Bowl Ring (Both the Ring and the Watch are Illustrated in Raleigh DeGeer Amyx’s Sports Collectibles Tab) on his left hand. The Seller, that day of Numerous Sculptures on Exhibit, happened to have been Born in Brockton, Massachusetts, the Home Town of Rocky Marciano. He noticed Amyx’s Watch and Ring and Enquired about them. And as luck would have it, the Antique Specialist was a Big Fan of Former Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano. More conversation ensued when Amyx revealed to the Seller that he had on display on his Office Fireplace Mantle, a pair of Rocky Marciano’s Boxing Shoes, displayed in a custom Lucite Case, from one of his Major Heavyweight fights.

"HORSE & WOMAN" - BY BRUNO ZACH - CIRCA 1925

Amyx was Entranced with the Sculpture above, “Horse-Woman”, and
the Antique Dealer Became Thrilled about the Thought of Owning Rocky Marciano’s Boxing Shoes. What happened? Well, another Trade and the New Jersey Seller
now has the Rocky Marciano Boxing Shoes and in the Raleigh DeGeer Amyx
Collection is the Majestic Piece above.

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"BABY BOY" - IN REPOSE
SCULPTURE IN ALABASTER
CIRCA 1880

The “Baby Boy” (29"x25") was Sculpted Circa 1875-1885 and Depicts a Child Resting against a Tufted Footstool on an Unusual Lava Type Formation. This Exquisite Example rests Easy on the Eyes. This is another example of a Piece acquired by Mr. Amyx during one of his Many Ventures into the Virginia Countryside. He was always in Pursuit of a Local or Estate Auction at some Peaceful Virginia Country Farm. The above was the result of Amyx's Continous Quest of the Historic and Beautiful.

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"FIGHT FOR JUSTICE"
A BRONZE BY THE ACCOMPLISHED
EMILE PICAULT - CIRCA 1885

On Another Adventure, into the Virginia Countryside, in Pursuit of Collectibles at Local Estate Auctions, Mr. Amyx Came Up with the above Bronze 19" Sculpture of a Warrior by the well-known Artist Emile Picault. The Proud Warrior Stands with Sword, Shield and Winged-Helmet. At The Warriors Feet appears to be the Spoils of Battle and the words, “Pro Jure” (”Fight for Justice”), the Actual Title of the Sculpture.

A Close Examination of the Foundry Mark Reveals a
Coin in the Formation of a Seal (Pictured left) indicating
it is from “Vrai Bronze - Garanti - Paris, V.L.” The Coin Seal
is Very Important on Such an Artistic Piece; Provided that there
is a Drill Hole under the Seal, in that it Indicates that it is an
Original and Not a Later Copy.

The Artist, Emile Picault, was born in 1833 and died in 1915. He completed his Artistic Works over a 50 year Period, beginning in 1860 and Right Up until his Death in 1915. Picault Won Numerous Awards with one of the more Prominent Awards was at le Salon at Paris. He was Commissioned by Many to Produce Monuments, as well as Famous Men, Warriors, Knights, Musicians, etc. Most well known Artists of the 19th Century would normally Cast 18 Originals with Appropriate Coin Seal. After this, if any other Casts were made, they were Merely Considered to be Copies.

"PRO JURE" TRANSLATES TO "FIGHT FOR JUSTICE"
BY EMILE PICAULT

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ADAM AND EVE
BY THE GIFTED MISHA FRID

A MAN & WOMAN EMBEDDED IN REFLECTIVE LUCITE

This Striking Crystal Acrylic Sculpture is Marked...

"M. Frid @ 1994-21/150".

The Sculpture stands 31" and is 12" in width. It depicts a Man and Woman;
at the bottom of the Sculpture, Embedded in Reflective Lucite, as they Kiss.
According to a Conversation with the Artist in 1997, this Artistic Rendition
Represents the Symbolic Beginning of a Blossoming Relationship. As One goes Up on Toward the top of the Sculpture, the Man and Woman are Shown at a Later Stage in the Relationship - in Full-Standing Form. They are Depicted Entwined Forever in a Devotion that is without Beginning or End. The Artist stated, in a Conversation with Mr. Amyx, that this Piece is Entitled, “Adam and Eve”, and that it Really has Nothing to do with the Biblical Figures. Rather, in the Mind of the Artist, Frid means it as Symbolism in the Form of a Perfect Loving Relationship between any Man or Woman.

Truly an Elegant Piece of Artistic Accomplishment as Created by the Artist Misha Frid, pictured at right. Frid was born in Moscow the Jewish Son of a Father from Lithuania and Mother from Belarus. In his Youth, Frid was Encouraged by his Father to Study the Violin, with which he became Proficient. After Five Years of Study,
he Switched to an Art School,
to Pursue his Dream of Becoming
a Great Sculptor.

MISHA FRID
GIFTED SCULPTOR

When Frid was about 40 years of age, he moved to America,
and now Resides in the San Francisco Area. His Sculptures are Exhibited in Many Galleries, Museums, and Private Homes Around the World. The above Piece of Excellence Somehow Made Itself to the Caring Home of Raleigh DeGeer Amyx.

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"NOBLEWOMAN"
BY A GIFTED BUT UNKNOWN ARTIST
CIRCA 1825

In 1967, Mr. Amyx was on Another Virginia Country-Side Venture In and Around Appomattox; the Site of the Surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia; Commanded by General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. — Circumstances Graced Mr. Amyx with an Opportunity to meet a Three Generation Former Slave Family. Their Forefathers were once Owned by a Prominent Virginia Slave-Owning Family. It was During an Extended Exchange with that once Slave Family that Mr. Amyx was Gifted with the above Sculpture.

As it turned out, this Dramatic Piece had Once Been the Property of the Virginia Slave Owners. The Slave Family had Removed it from the Slave Owner’s Ante-Bellum Mansion as the Union Army began to Quickly Encompass the Appomattox Area in 1865. The Ever-Loyal Slave Family had Stored the Sculpture in the Attic area above their Slave Quarters. At the time, Mr. Amyx was Gifted the Sculpture, there were Numerous Mud Dauber’s Nests in and around the Multiple Crevices of this Splendid Piece. When Mr. Amyx arrived Home in the D.C. Area of Virginia, he hurriedly took the Sculpture to the shower. After ten minutes, all the Dirt and Mud that had Accumulated on this Elegant Piece over a 102 Year Period of Time Finally Concluded its run to and through the shower’s drain. The Sculpture was Suddenly Transformed into the Captivating Elegance which appears above.

Later, Mr. Amyx had this Beautiful Piece Examined at the National Portrait Gallery (the Mellon Art Gallery – Pictured at right) in Washington D.C. Experts Employed by the Gallery made Copious Notes, Examined and Photographed; and attributed the Sculpture
to an unknown Artist, of

Extraordinary Talent, in the Mediterranean Area (circa 1815-1830). Neither National Portrait Gallery Expert had ever seen another Example like it. A young Mr. Amyx was More Than Appropriately Pleased. Accordingly, he has Pridefully Displayed this Exquisite Example in his Virginia Home, since 1967.

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EXQUISITE VICTORIAN PORCELAIN DOLLS
CIRCA 1880s

During Mr. Amyx’s Many Years of Collecting, he was often Privileged to Meet other Collectors with Extraordinary Taste in Areas Unrelated to those Mr. Amyx had been Previously Collecting in. Examples of Exceptional Beauty are the above German-Made Porcelain Dolls of the 1880’s. Pictured at upper center, is a 21" Armand-Marseille Köppels-dorf Thürmigia Male Doll – German 1880’s.

Note the Handsome Boy’s Beautiful
Green Velvet Raiment topped off with Laced Collar.
A Green Velvet Cap Rests on Top of the Handsome
Boy’s Head. Pictured upper left is a 26" Armand-Marseille Köppels-dorf Thürmigia Radiant Female Doll - Circa 1880. Take Special Note of the Gorgeous Velvet Burgundy Wearing Apparel; Trimmed with Multiple Pieces of Radiant Satin as well as Exquisite Lacework. The Angelic 26" Girl is Wearing an Elegant Hat Encompassing her Golden Hair with Long Braids; Extending Down 3/4 of the Length of the Front.

At upper right is a 23" Simon & Halbig Gräfenhain Thürmigia – German 1880s. The Beautiful Young Girl is Attired in a Classy Purple Velvet Raiment with Bonnet and Matching Cape. There is Exquisite Lace Detail Highlighting the Entire Front as well as the Bottom of her Gorgeous Outfit. It is Topped Off with a Center of Intricate Lace. Note the Exquisite Velvet Cape Effect Surrounding her Delicate Shoulders. And Resting on her Delicate Head is a Beautiful Bonnet with Delicate Feathers and Intricate Interior Lace Detail.

EXQUISITE PORCELAIN BOY & GIRL
MFG. GERMANY - CIRCA 1880

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DRAMATIC PRESENTATION PIECE
METTLACH STONEWARE TUREEN
CIRCA 1894

The Striking Mettlach Porcelain Stoneware, “Cameo”, Presentation
Tureen/Punch Bowl with 16" Underplate and Lid (3 pieces). This Beautiful
Rendition was Manufactured by Mettlach (Germany), in 1894. It would have
been a Presentation Piece and our Belief is that it was Presented to a
Town Leader or Mayor, etc. Mettlach is a Well-Known German Manufacturer,
known for their Fine Creations of Stoneware, such as Steins, Vases, Plates, etc. - The Hand-Painted Colors are White, Golden-Tan, Grey and Salmon. Above the
16" Diameter Underplate is a Tureen which Measures from Handle to Handle approximately 14" across and the height is approximately 16".

There are Numerous “Cameo” Figures Depicting Dancing and Musical Merriment Circling the Entirety of the Tureen. The bottom of the Tureen/Punch Bowl and the Underplate Reads...

"Mettlach, S.B. - Geschurzt - Number 2087 - 94".

This Historic Piece has the Names of German Towns or Villages in an Oval Design on the Lid. Also, on the Under-Plate are, 6 different German Sentences in an Oval Design. As an example; one of the German Towns, “Bern Kastel” and one of the German Slogans Reads...

" Indursfger miff all sorgen quitt".

Interestingly, this German Slogan
Translates to the following... 

“To ensure that you get even with someone else in an argument”!

How did this Magnificent Mettlach Porcelain-Ware make itself into the Amyx Collection? Well, one April 19, 1997, Raleigh DeGeer Amyx was making his way into the Virginia Hinterlands when he came across a Piece that he knew Absolutely Nothing About, but it Intrigued him. A Deal was Consummated and Another Handsome Addition made its way into The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection.

AT LEFT - DETAILED CLOSEUPS OF
CIRCA 1894 - METTLACH STONEWARE TUREEN

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EXEMPLARY & ARTISTIC RENDITION OF A
26 INCH BRONZE SCULPTURE OF A SOCCER PLAYER
BY CARHER - (CIRCA 1900)

Presented to John B. Farrell, Pioneer of Soccer, in the late 1800s. John Farrell, American Soccer Player, was Father of 1924 Olympian Henry C. Farrell. John B. Farrell began, in the late 1800s, Promoting Soccer in America. A Highly Skilled Athlete himself, his enthusiasm and fortitude helped not only American Soccer but in the Development of his Son, Henry Farrell. Young Henry became a Proud Member of the 1924 Olympic Team-”Chariots of Fire” VIII Olympiad.

Pictured at left is the 1924 Olympian, Henry Farrell — Son of American Soccer Pioneer, John B. Farrell, that the above Sculpture was presented to. Both Farrell’s had numerous National and or International Athletic Accomplishments.

This 26 inch high Quality Sculpture by CARHER, has Captured the Young Soccer Player with His Eyes Downcast and on the Soccer Ball, Arms Swinging, with his Left Foot and Leg Back for the Kick.

This Sculpture is Detailed; showing the Buttons of his Shirt, the Waves in his Hair and his Socks and Shoes with Short Soccer Pants. This Handsome and Artistic Figure Stands on a Base of Stunning Green Marble with Engraved Plaque, as Illustrated Above.

This Circa 1900's Sculpture was Presented to Raleigh DeGeer Amyx by the Recipients (John B. Farrell) Great Grand-Daughter, Susan Farrell Beatrice.

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DELICATE VIOLINS - AS AN ARTFORM
CIRCA 1870 to 1900

Raleigh DeGeer Amyx became, Unfortunately, Well-Known in his Family
for Possessing Little or No Musical Talent. Genes Do Not Always Flow!
But Mr. Amyx is Proud of his Father and Grandfather; as they Both Displayed
a Proclivity for Playing and Performing on their Violins. Their Proud
Instruments were Framed in 3-D Effect a Quarter of a Century Ago by the
younger Raleigh DeGeer Amyx and are featured above.

Mr. Amyx’s Father, (Pictured at left in 1985 at
age 75, beneath his Violin – featured above),
Eugene Raleigh Amyx, (1910-1995), was the
Benefactor of having Violin Lessons as a Youngster. Later, he went on to Perform Before College;
but Especially During College, for the University Orchestra. Mr. Amyx’s Father went on to Graduate
from Baker University in Kansas – during the Middle
of the Great Depression. He was a Great Friend
to Raleigh DeGeer Amyx.

On the other hand, Mr. Amyx’s Grandfather, Raleigh B. Amyx (1881-1968), holding his Violin Featured in Sepia, (Pictured at right Circa 1908, at age 27, with Raleigh Amyx’s Grandmother, Lillian Gregg Amyx (1888-1989), Circa 1908, at age 20, holding her Banjo). Raleigh B. Amyx, was Totally Self-Taught and always referred to his Violin as, “My Fiddle”. He was a Good Guy!

Raleigh B. Amyx Lived in the Old West, in the early 1900's, for much of His Life; and “Fiddled Away” around the Old West Camp-Fire, as well as at Western Country Hoedowns. His Father and Raleigh DeGeer Amyx’s Great-Grandfather, John William Amyx (1839-1909), Served with the Kentucky-Mounted Infantry during the Great Civil War (1862-1865). He can be seen at left, Wearing his Civil War Uniform, in April 1865. John William Amyx Served in Numerous Skirmishes and Battles against the Confederates before being Discharged from The Union Army in Washington D.C. in 1865.

RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX' S
GREAT-GRANDFATHER
JOHN WILLIAM AMYX (1839-1909)
CIVIL WAR UNION SOLDIER

In Fact, Three other Great-Grandfathers of Mr. Amyx also Served in the
Great Civil War - and all Wore the Uniform of The Army of the Union.
Two of them were Shot, One in the Foot and another through the Arm, both
Suffering Crippling Injuries. Fortunately, all Four Barely Survived that
Horrific War. – Hopefully, after this Tribute, Mr. Amyx’s Forefathers will,
in their Heavenly Hearts, Forgive their Younger Amyx Descendant,
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, for his Overt lack of Musical Talent. Mr. Amyx is
pictured below, in his Virginia Home, in 1991 at age 53, beneath both the Elegant Violins of his Father and Grandfather which are Handsomely Featured Above.

RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX IN - 1991 - SEATED BENEATH THE VIOLINS OF HIS FATHER AND GRANDFATHER

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