This is an amazing Curtis Jere midcentury art sculpture made of metal and quartz. "Curtis Jere" (sometimes known as C. Jeré) is actually the name that two artists named Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels used for their business - most people assume it's the actual name of the artist. They made art sculpture in the 1960s-70s, often using metal, rock, wood and other items. Currently, the company (sold many times, and finally bought by Artisan House) is still making metal sculpture, though they aren't produced in the United States any more. See the Wikipedia entry for further info.

This smaller sculpture is typical of their work, which often involved birds, leaves or abstract designs in metal. However, many of the larger pieces were often meant to be hung on walls. This smaller sculpture was created in 1971 and features a bronze or brass metal seagull attached by a rod to a large piece of white rock that we think is some kind of quartz. There are thinner metal rods surrounding the larger one that create the illusion of reeds. We actually aren't certain about the type of metal used for both the seagull and reeds.

The bird is signed underneath one wing in ink with "C. Jere 71". This would make a wonderful statement in a midcentury modern (or later) setting. We actually have memories of grandparents' houses that had metal sculpture like these in the 70s.

The sculpture is overall in very good condition. We believe that the rock may have chipped a little in some places - but it's quite difficult to tell with this quartz type of rock. The rock has natural cracks and fissures and the reddish discoloration on one side is original to the piece. The metal seagull and attaching rod is in good shape. A few of the metal "reeds" are slightly bent - they could probably be re-bent back, but overall it still looks natural. The bottom of the rock has only 3 cork feet, one of them has come off.

Sculpture measures 8 1/4" at tallest and weighs 2.5 lbs. The rock piece is 5" long, 3" wide and 3.5" tall.