Description:

LOUIS-PAUL JONAS (HUNGARIAN-AMERICAN, 1897-1971) ANDIRONS
American, second quarter 20th century, cast iron. Art Deco influence, footed bases with giraffes facing inward. The pair is illustrated in the Jonas Brothers Studios of New York pamphlet circa 1940.

About the Artist: Louis Paul Jonas (July 17, 1894 – February 16, 1971) was an American sculptor of wildlife, taxidermist, and natural history exhibit designer. Born in Budapest, Hungary, Jonas moved to the United States at the age of 12 and went to work at his brothers' taxidermy studio, Jonas Brothers, in Denver, Co. Later he moved to New York City, where he studied under Carl Akeley, a noted field naturalist, taxidermist, and animal sculptor. There, they created the African elephant group in the center of Akeley Hall at the American Museum of Natural History, in New York.

Jonas opened Louis Paul Jonas Studios, Inc in Mahopac, NY, and eventually moved to Hudson, NY. The studio was known for its miniature and full size animal sculptures, taxidermy, and natural history exhibits featured in over 50 museums worldwide. In 1932, Louis Paul Jonas and his brothers created the taxidermy model of the famous Australian race horse Phar Lap that is now on display at the Melbourne Museum.

The company created the first full sized dinosaur sculptures for the 1964 New York World's Fair in the "Dinoland" area, which was sponsored by the Sinclair Oil Corporation. Jonas consulted with noted paleontologists Barnum Brown, Edwin H. Colbert and John Ostrom in order to create sculptures that were as accurate as possible. After the Fair closed, the dinosaur models toured the country on special flatbed trailers as part of a company advertising campaign. Many of the statues are now on display at various museums and parks.
In 1983, the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. hosted an exhibition of 75 wildlife miniatures created by Jonas.

  • Provenance: The Wallace Estate: Lee Renfrew Wallace and her husband Mahlon Brookings Wallace III lived an extremely happy and luxurious life filled with world travels, safaris, collecting, and philanthropy. From backgrounds in race-horse breeding and championship cattle ranching, the socialite couple paid homage to the St. Louis area community in a variety of ways.

    Mr. Wallace served as Director of Commerce Bank, President of the St. Louis Zoo Friends Board, and was charitable to numerous organizations he believed in. Behind every great man is a better woman, and his wife Lee was renowned for being the glue of the family while she warmly served as Director of Development for local educational institutions and made an impact with her lasting spirit. The couple's art collection ranges in style and period and spans a broad price-point.
  • Dimensions: 36 3/4 in. (93.35 cm.)

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January 14, 2023 10:00 AM CST
St. Louis, MO, US

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