Lot 555: John William Mills (British, b. 1933), Caged Lion, Signed and dated "John Mills/72" on the lion's right leg, titled on an unattributed

John William Mills (British, b. 1933)

Caged Lion
Signed and dated "John Mills/72" on the lion's right leg, titled on an unattributed
label affixed to the underside of the plinth.
Bronze with brown patina, approximately 9 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (24.2 x 11.5 x 6.3 cm), on a wood plinth.
Condition: Dust and dirt to interstices.

N.B. The artist writes that the small sculpture Caged Lion is a unique casting. It bears no foundry mark because it was cast in his studio foundry using the direct "lost wax" process. It is one of many studies the artist made in preparation for a series of lions he worked on for many years, which were exhibited in Michigan, Toronto, and Lyon, France, as well as in a number of shows in London. The piece was likely purchased through Alice Simsar Gallery in Ann Arbor, Michigan.