Featured in this lot is this original artist proof of a large bronze mounted on a hard wooden shield from Montana artists Ed Totten and David Lemon. The bronze features a wonderfully and professionally crafted bronze and wooden construction and shows a figural scene of Native Americans performing ceremonies that fades into a scene of an explorer with a spear followed by Native Brave's and shows a elk and bear depiction with a wolf howling next to them; and in the bottom right hand corner rides two cowboys looking out over the plains. The signatures is shown in the bottom left and right hand corners of the bronze and is numbered 1/30 next to Ed Totten's signature.
Montana native Ed Totten is a internationally known artist who lives in Ennis, Montana. His breadth of work spans many decades and different media. His many talents include oil painting, intricate wildlife wood carving, as well as relief and totem carving. He is also gaining recognition for his unique art form that combines an oil painting with an original wood carving in a single work of art. Ed's Skill is recognized by the National Wildlife Federation. His portfolio also includes many Native American portraits and scenes that celebrate the rich Native American heritage. David Lemon, a member of the Gallup New Mexico Indian Artist's Group, "Gathering of the Masters", is a mesmerizing storyteller as well as an inspired scultor. David's family originally settled in Utah in 1848. Through the stories told by his father and grandparents, David developed a deep interest in the Old West and now resides in Montana. The condition of this bronze is good with no obvious signs of damage to the bronze or the shield and in good overall condition. The measurements of this shield the bronze is mounted on are 17 1/4" x 37 3/8" and the actual bronze measures 15 3/4" x 35 1/2". This artwork was entered in the Montana state fair and although he did well the bronze wasn't chosen, but this is the first artist proof and is believed to be the exact piece that was entered. The piece cost nearly $20,000 when it was purchased nearly 10-20 years ago.