Louis at work on the sculpture

Detail of the head

FUNDERE FINE ART FOUNDRY in collaboration with Sculptor LOUIS LAUMEN have produced a World first Monumental bronze sculpture of the cricketing legend, W.G. GRACE. We are proud to offer this one-off piece for sale in the UK. Grace will make his return to English shores in May 1999. The Grace sculpture will be exhibited at The GCCC County Ground in Bristol from 12th May in time for the West Indies v Pakistan World Cup fixture there on the 16th May.

The Grace project follows the successful commission by the foundry for a life-size sculpture of Sir Donald Bradman, modelled by Mitch Mitchell, and sold at auction by Christies in Melbourne in 1998. The Grace commemoration marks the continuation of a speculative initiative by Fundere to produce life-size images of prominent sporting and historical figures.

Sculptor LOUIS LAUMEN is emerging now as the leading practitioner in his field in Australia, setting new standards in the southern hemisphere for his consummate representations of the human form. Laumen is a first generation Dutch emigre who has lectured and exhibited widely throughout Australia. Notable commissions include; ANZ Banking Group, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Legacy Organisation, Cities of Benalla, Bendigo and Malvern; Omega Trend Ltd., Royal Selangor Ltd.; and numerous private portrait commissions.

We at Fundere, Louis Laumen and our Associates are intent on producing the definitive Grace image, which we believe will offer a unique and solid investment opportunity. Accordingly at all stages of this commission, the highest standards of craft and workmanship have been sought. This is an intensely researched piece and from all angles is an accurate reproduction of the man and the period, revealing an insight into the cricketing technique and dress of the time. It was largely through GraceÕs endeavours that the game of Cricket progressed from an insular English pastime into the international game we know today. No comparable tribute to Grace is in existence anywhere in the world. The sculpture is a world first; a tribute to the man and the legend as befits his unique character, and contribution to the game. The pose is taken from the only surviving film footage of Grace, in action at a practice session in 1907.

A proportion of the proceeds will be donated to charity; with cricketing initiatives for young people in the UK being the prime recipients. For income above the reserve price, an additional portion will be donated to the charities of choice of the winning bidder. Contribution and acknowledgment will also be paid to the Marylebone Cricket Club, Gloucester County Cricket Club and the Grace family.

Melbourne based FUNDERE is one of AustraliaÕs leading producers of bronze and metal sculpture; established in 1995 by Artist CAMERON McINDOE; and joined in 1998 by metals expert SEAN ELLIOTT as production director.

13-15 DAVID STREET RICHMOND VICTORIA AUSTRALIA 3121. Tel 613 9427 1271. Publicity: ALAN DELANEY Tel/Fax 613 9354 0112