Description: This 24" statue of Potina the Bird Girl is an authorized replica of the iconic one that used to be in a Savannah, Georgia Cemetery. Potina was also featured on the cover Jonathan Berendt's 1994 Southern Gothic nonfiction novel about the murder of a local male prostitute by an antiques dealer. It later was turned into a movie by Clint Eastwood starring John Cusack, Kevin Spacey, and Jack Thompson. This particular replica was produced to a company bearing the same name as the statue. The daughter of Sylvia Shaw Judson (The sculptor of the original statue) licensed it to that company in 1998. A. Hayes with the copyright symbol and the date 1998 are stamped/etched (not sure of the nomenclature here) into the back of it at the bottom of Potina's dress. This statue we are selling was purchased in 1998 or early 1999 as such it would be one of the earliest productions of it. We acquired it from a local lady who was the original purchaser. A quick note about the original statue: "The Bird Girl statue, designed both as art and as a birdseed holder, was originally located at Savannah's historic Bonaventure Cemetery. A Savannah photographer, Jack Leigh, was commissioned to take a photograph for the cover of the book. The cover image became immediately iconic, with author John Berendt calling it "one of the strongest covers I've ever seen", and the statue became a popular stop for tourists. Owing to rising concerns about the integrity of the statue and the cemetery's privacy, Bird Girl was relocated in 1997 for display in Telfair Museums in Savannah." (source for the last paragraph: wikipedia) We are not sure what the statue is made of though one site states it is a bronze finished resin. Another website says that these statues are made from fiberglass, marble dust, and resin, Seeing as we not an experts in this area we will default to "we are not entirely sure." It is a striking piece that sort of straddles the line between tender and unsettling, innocent and eerie. that could fit into a wide variety of interior design schemes, especially if one enjoys a Goth, Horror, or Darker themes. The lady we acquired it from displayed it in her living room. However, it would make a wonderful addition to a garden or maybe even a Halloween display but should probably be anchored to something for safety. Height: 24"Width (at widest point): 15 1/2"Condition. Overall in very good condition though it has a small scratch on the bottom left plate she is holding and there is some blue paint on one of the pleats of her skirt/dress. Also contains a few production imperfections. We are not sure why certain pictures vary in color so please note that looking at her from a distance she definitely appears more gray than anything else. It probably has something to do with available light and the angle. Newer reproductions retail online for $299. All other current listings appear to be missing the Alice Hayes mark and date. We hope we will have the honor of serving you. Sincerely,Shawn and Rebecca
Price: 1312.5 USD
Location: Branson, Missouri
End Time: 2024-09-13T07:36:23.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Pattern: Birds
Character: Potina
Size: Medium
Area of Use: Flower Bed, Lawn
Color: Multicolor
Material: Resin
Item Length: 24 in
Subject: Person
Personalize: No
Brand: Potina
Type: Statue
Theme: People
Finish: Patina
Item Width: 15.5 in
