{"product_id":"1996-prix-de-west-collectors-bolo-canyon-princess-by-gerald-balciar","title":"1996 Prix de West Collectors' Bolo: Canyon Princess by Gerald Balciar","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1996 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrix de West\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Collectors’ Bolo, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCanyon Princess\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is a bronze interpretation of Gerald Balciar’s monumental cougar sculpture of the same name. The bolo brings one of Balciar’s most important sculptures into a wearable format, preserving the distinctive profile and character of the mountain lion on a much smaller scale. Balciar’s work is known for its highly recognizable style and its foundation in an extensive knowledge of animal anatomy and behavior. He researched his subjects through photographs, books, study casts, measurements, and live models, approaching wildlife with both technical precision and an evident respect for the animals themselves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bolo is especially significant because \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCanyon Princess\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was created for the National Cowboy \u0026amp; Western Heritage Museum and became one of the most recognizable sculptures in its collection. Balciar carved the monumental cougar from a single 31-ton block of Colorado Yule marble. The finished sculpture is approximately twice the size of an actual cougar, rises about 15 feet above its base, and weighs more than eight tons. Completed and installed in 1995, it was Balciar's largest marble sculpture and remains a striking presence in the Museum's galleries. Balciar donated the sculpture in appreciation for winning the Museum's annual \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrix de West\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Award, an important recognition that came at a pivotal point in his career.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBalciar's connection to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrix de West\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e extends well beyond this single work. He received the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrix de West\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Purchase Award in 1985 for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRiver Companions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a marble sculpture of two river otters, and went on to participate in the exhibition for more than four decades. He has received numerous honors throughout his career, including the Nona Jean Hulsey Buyers' Choice Award and the James Earle Fraser Sculpture Award. Balciar was also deeply involved in the physical process of creating his bronzes, personally working through mold-making, wax chasing, welding, metal chasing, patination, and finishing. In 1982, while enlarging an elk sculpture, he developed a \"point-up\" system that changed the traditional process of scaling sculptures to monumental size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1996 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrix de West\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e bolo is therefore more than a miniature representation of a monumental cougar. It captures a significant moment in Balciar's career and in the history of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrix de West\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, coming immediately after the completion of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCanyon Princess\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and following his recognition for artistic accomplishment. The subject is particularly fitting for Balciar, whose lifelong fascination with animals began in rural Wisconsin and developed into a career devoted largely to wildlife sculpture. As a wearable bronze, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCanyon Princess\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e offers collectors an intimate connection to one of the most ambitious sculptures associated with the National Cowboy \u0026amp; Western Heritage Museum and to an artist whose work has helped establish wildlife sculpture as an important part of contemporary Western art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Collectors' Bolo tradition began in 1986.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdd to your collection of our\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrix de West\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebolos or start your collection today! These bolos are replicas of the original artwork. Each bolo comes with a braided horsehair bolo tie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscounts are not available for this item.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"National Cowboy \u0026 Western Heritage Museum","offers":[{"title":"Bronze","offer_id":31907100557402,"sku":"JEWL-000-0015","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver","offer_id":31907100590170,"sku":"JEWL-000-0036","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/5778\/1594\/files\/1996_PdW_Bolo_-_Canyon_Princess_by_Gerald_Balciar_Bronze.png?v=1787087256","url":"https:\/\/persimmonhillstore.com\/products\/1996-prix-de-west-collectors-bolo-canyon-princess-by-gerald-balciar","provider":"Persimmon Hill at the National Cowboy \u0026 Western Heritage Museum","version":"1.0","type":"link"}