‘Dawn Duel’: magnificent new large limited edition bronze by the rising star sculptor Dean Kendrick: edition of 150

Two Highland stags in all their powerful glory, locked in combat over hinds at the height of the rut, create this new and beautifully sculpted limited edition bronze by Dean Kendrick. Entitled Dawn Duel, this is a bronze which any admirer of animalier sculpture, stalking man or woman, or lover of the red deer and the Highlands, will treasure. It is in a limited edition of 150.

Dean Kendrick—a rising star sculptor in the world of figurative wildlife work—chose that awe-inspiring moment when the dominant male and his challenger finally clash, perhaps even to the death. This is the ultimate image of the wild red deer: when Scotland’s remote hills and glens reverberate to the fierce sounds of crashing antlers, charging beasts and aggressive roaring as each dominant male fights to secure his hinds.

Kendrick’s sculpture brings it all home to us in a work of art that is as bracing as a blast of Highland air. It instantly captures the wild majesty and ferocity of the red stag—our largest native land mammal, weighing up to 190kg. It is little wonder that Victorian artist Sir Edwin Landseer and others made their reputations by portraying such beasts at such moments. How perfectly the sculpture captures the cold desolation and piercing beauty of the wilderness; one can almost hear the silence broken by the reverberating sound of antler on antler.

This striking bronze has been cleverly designed to combine both bronze and stainless steel in its composition. The detailed base depicting the rocky edge of a river with rushing water running downstream, is cast in stainless steel. The rutting stags are cast in pure foundry bronze. This is a stunning contemporary take on a traditional subject. At about 30cm wide and 105mm tall, weighing 1.2kg, it is large enough to make an impact—as a centrepiece on a table, mantelpiece or plinth, in the office to remind you of the hill, or on display at home. It will look capture the eye of all who walk into the room.

Dawn Duel is made in solid foundry bronze and stainless steel, using the ancient method of lost wax casting. The stags are finished by the art of patination where various acids are applied to the surface of the bronze and heat applied to create a deep rich brown patina. The stainless steel has an antique effect applied and then both the bronze and stainless steel are sealed with a special wax which further enhances the colour and protects the sculpture for years to come.

This limited edition bronze is beautifully presented in a printed box containing a signed certificate of authenticity. The bronze is engraved with the sculptor’s signature and limited edition number, matching the certificate enclosed.

Code DD24RC10. RRP £695 plus delivery. CCUK £495 including UK courier delivery.