Lot 1380: Nina Akamu (American, Contemporary) "The Wise Man", a large, well-modeled bronze sculpture of an owl perched on a branch, 1979, signed "Nina Akamu", numbered "1/8" and dated "79", the circular base inscribed "Roman Bronze Works Inc. N.Y.", h. 14",

Nina Akamu (American, Contemporary) "The Wise Man", a large, well-modeled bronze sculpture of an owl perched on a branch, 1979, signed "Nina Akamu", numbered "1/8" and dated "79", the circular base inscribed "Roman Bronze Works Inc. N.Y.", h. 14", dia. 8". Provenance: The estates of David and Eula Wintermann. Akamu is best known for her animal sculptures, in particular a monumental horse which was originally designed by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century (Leonardo's clay model was destroyed by French troops when they invaded Milan in 1499). Five hundred years later, in 1999, Akamu's sculpture "The Horse" was erected in Milan near the site where the original would have stood.