Meticulous bronze sculpture on marble base of a dynamic crouching American Indian preparing to use his bow and arrow by Viennese sculptor Carl Kauba (1865-1922), circa 1900. Signed C Kauba, 4294/24, and KF AUSTRIA on the plinth. Kauba’s intricate bronze shows a warrior with finely chiseled face and muscles, flowing hair, bold feather headdress and delicate bow and arrow. The son of an Austrian shoemaker, Carl Kauba studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and spent 2 years in Paris. His very detailed and realistic sculptures, rendering many figures in motion, make him one of the leading ‘Viennese bronze’ artists. Vienna bronzes are finely cast bronzes made between 1880 to 1930. The naturalistic small sculptures were so fashionable that 80 companies emerged in Vienna producing these bronzes. Many were lost being melted down during the wars for artillery needs, thus making these bronzes not only treasures but rare collectibles. Kauba was fascinated by the Wild West adventure novels by the German author Karl May --- inspired by the expressive illustrations depicting Native Americans. Kauba’s western bronze subjects are highly sought after. His representation of American Indian headdresses, weapons and costumes were rendered with great attention to detail, creating highly naturalistic pieces with a great range of textures. Kauba personally directed the casting of his clay models. Carl Kauba is considered one of the greatest portraitists of the American West, along with Frederic Remington and Charles Russell. Note the line in the marble base is a naturally occurring fissure (not a break or crack) and is not visible on the top of the stone. Please note the bow, string and arrow are intact: a rarity. Dimensions: 4.25ʺW × 2.5ʺD × 3ʺH bronze; 6”W x 3.5”D x 4”H on marble base.