Handmade Penny-Farthing Wire Bicycle Sculpture – Metal Art, 2005

Description

Handmade Penny-Farthing Wire Bicycle Sculpture

This handmade Penny-farthing wire bicycle sculpture is a distinctive decorative art object created from shaped and coiled metal wire and mounted on a solid natural stone base. The sculpture interprets the iconic high-wheel bicycle form through an expressive handmade construction, with individually formed wheels, spokes, frame, saddle, handlebar and pedals.

The combination of dark aged metal and the light natural stone base gives the piece a strong sculptural presence. Its open wire construction allows the mechanical form of the bicycle to remain clearly visible while emphasizing the craftsmanship involved in shaping each individual detail.

Original Title “Kolelo” and Georgi Turchev

The underside of the stone base retains an original paper label identifying the work as “Kolelo” and naming Georgi Turchev, Sofia, Bulgaria as the author.

The label also states that the item was patented under No. 7845 dated 25 February 2005. This original label provides important provenance and dating information for the sculpture and has been preserved as part of the object.

Penny-Farthing Inspired Bicycle Design

The sculpture is inspired by the historic Penny-farthing bicycle, the famous early bicycle type associated with a dramatically enlarged driving wheel and a much smaller secondary wheel. This recognizable vintage bicycle silhouette gives the sculpture strong decorative appeal for collectors and enthusiasts of cycling history.

Rather than functioning as a precise scale model, the piece is an artistic interpretation in wire, using exaggerated coiled details and handmade forms to create a lively and highly individual representation of a retro bicycle.

Handmade Wire Construction

The bicycle is constructed from shaped, bent and tightly coiled metal wire. Individual sections form the wheels, spokes, frame, saddle, handlebar, pedals and decorative mechanical details.

The handmade nature of the work can be seen in the slight irregularities and variations throughout the structure. These characteristics contribute to the sculptural quality of the piece and distinguish it from mass-produced decorative bicycle models.

Natural Stone Base

The wire sculpture is securely mounted on a substantial natural stone base. The polished stone provides visual contrast with the dark metalwork and gives the sculpture stability for display on a desk, shelf, cabinet or collector’s display.

Dimensions and Details

• Object: decorative wire bicycle sculpture
• Design: Penny-farthing inspired retro bicycle
• Original title: “Kolelo”
• Author stated on label: Georgi Turchev, Sofia, Bulgaria
• Date: 2005
• Materials: metal wire and natural stone
• Length: 13.5 cm / 5.31 in
• Width: 7.5 cm / 2.95 in
• Height: 16.5 cm / 6.50 in
• Weight: 450 g / 0.99 lb
• Label: original paper label
• Patent information stated on label: No. 7845, dated 25 February 2005

Condition

The sculpture is in very good vintage condition, with light age-related wear and natural oxidation visible on parts of the metal surface. The stone base shows minor signs of age and handling, while the original paper label remains attached underneath.

Please examine all photographs carefully, including the detailed views of the wire construction, stone base and original label, as they form an important part of the description and show the actual condition of the piece.

Decorative and Collectible Appeal

This Penny-farthing wire bicycle sculpture would appeal to collectors of bicycle memorabilia, handmade metal art, decorative sculpture, retro cycling objects and Bulgarian applied art. Its original label, dated provenance and unusual handmade construction make it more distinctive than a generic bicycle ornament.

It also makes an unusual decorative object for a study, office, library, bicycle workshop or interior focused on vintage transport and industrial-inspired design.