HOLD

Popeye the Sailor is a European sculpture in the Hagenauer style made of Ebony wood and metal in the Art Deco style. We have had a few pieces in this treatment, style, and materials, but they are very rare to find. This one is particularly interesting since it is an homage to the character of Popeye. This sculpture has a slightly cubist feeling, with the treatment of black ebony and silver, including the navy anchor on its arm, obviously inspired by the original Popeye.

It’s not a widely known fact that a real person inspired E.C. Segar, the creator of Popeye. We have discovered that it was fashioned to resemble this man, Frank “Rocky” Fiegel, whose parents immigrated from Poland to the United States. Rocky was born in 1868-1947, and as an adult, he joined the navy. He was considered very strong and smoked a pipe, all characteristics of the cartoon Popeye, which became such an important icon of protection, not allowing bullying or to be bulled.

This Popeye Sailor sculpture is more than a work of art; it’s a collector’s piece with enduring appeal and cultural significance all help to make it a valuable addition to any Art Deco or art connoisseur’s collection.

Other Hagenauer Sailor Sculptures