Hello, this item is a bronze portrait head of Ahron Ben-Schmuel, sculpted by Richard Davis in 1936. The work, measuring approximately 20 x 9 x 9 inches, was first modeled in clay before being cast in bronze, and is mounted on a rough-hewn stone base that complements the expressive, textured modeling of the subject’s face. Ahron Ben-Schmuel, a noted American sculptor and Davis’s mentor, was known for his interest in direct carving and expressive figuration, which Davis channels here through a modernist yet emotionally resonant aesthetic that captures the sitter’s intensity and intellect. This portrait aligns with American sculpture trends of the 1930s, especially among artists associated with the WPA and early MoMA circles.

What dramatically enhances this sculpture’s value is its exhibition history—being shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1936 is a major provenance marker. Such institutional pedigree lends historical weight and curatorial interest to the work, even if Davis remains a relatively underrecognized figure today. Given the size, material, authorial clarity, and confirmed museum exhibition, this bronze head would reasonably be valued at $7,000–10,000 USD.