Patinated bronze, marble
Germany, 1907
Johann Heinrich Wefing (1854-1920) - German sculptor
Signed and dated with ‘HEINRICH WEFING 1907’ on the left side of the plinth
Foundry mark ‘AKT-GES-GLADENBECK-BERLIN-FRIEDRICHSAGEN’ at the back of the plinth
Bozzetto for the monument of Ernst zur Lippe-Biesterfeld standing on the Schlossplatz of Detmold, Germany
Bearded figure of the count sitting on a throne, dressed in a coat, with his right hand in the gesture of speech; the throne adorned with a floral bas-relief on the reverse
Segmented and profiled architectural base made of red, veined marble, figurative relief with the entry of the Regent and his wife in Detmold in 1897 to the left; relief depicting the Countess Karoline, caring for the poor to the right
Front side inscription: ‘ERNST GRAF UND EDLER HERR ZUR LIPPE BIESTERFELD REGENT DES FÜRSTENTUMS LIPPE’
Verso inscription: ‘IN LIEBE UND DANKBARKEIT ERRICHTET VOM TREUEN LIPPISCHEN VOLKE’
Overall height, with base: circa 65 cm
Very good condition
Typical Wilhelmine monument by the much acclaimed Berlin sculptor Heinrich Wefing, which enchants with a lifelike and detailed completion

From 1897-1907, the Count of Lippe-Biesterfeld was the Regent of Lippe and known for his involvement in the Lippe succession dispute. While the count was the heir de jure since 1895, his right was approved by the arbitral court only in 1897. The Berlin sculptor Heinrich Wefing (1854-1920) created many portraits of rulers, including statues of the Emperor William I and the Old Fritz. The present bronze bozzetto for the monument of the Count zur Lippe standing on the Schlossplatz in Detmold. Not only the meticulous and vivid completion of the figure impresses in Welfing’s sculpture, but also the imposing marble base with the figural relief scenes of the Regent and his wife Countess Karoline, born von Wartensleben.

The base bears the following inscription on the front side: ‘ERNST GRAF UND EDLER HERR ZUR LIPPE BIESTERFELD REGENT DES FÜRSTENTUMS LIPPE’ [the name of the ruler]. On the back it reads: ‘IN LIEBE UND DANKBARKEIT ERRICHTET VOM TREUEN LIPPISCHEN VOLKE’ [Erected with love and gratitude by the faithful people of Lippe]. The bronze is signed and dated to the left of the plinth ‘HEINRICH WEFING 1907’. On the back is the foundry mark ‘AKT-GES-GLADENBECK-BERLIN-FRIEDRICHSHAGEN’. The figure is in very good condition, showing minor wear consistent with age. The base is slightly chipped in places. The overall height, including the base, is 65 cm. The figure is about 35 cm in height.

Johann Heinrich Wefing (1854-1920)

Since 1871, Johann Heinrich Wefing studied at the Royal Prussian Academy with the history painter Karl Gottfried Pfannschmidt as well as the sculptors Albert Wolff and Friedrich Drake. Since 1897, he worked as a teacher for modeling and crafts at the educational institution of the Berlin Kunstgewerbemuseum (Arts and Crafts Museum). In 1907, he was appointed Royal Prussian Professor. Wefing’s works have been widely copied and varied, including the famous Wittekind memorial in Herford (melted in 1942), which has been illustrated on numerous everyday objects.

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