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Public Art

Zuni Bird Charmer

By Walker Hancock
Category: Sculpture

About

Hancock was commissioned to produce a statue as a memorial to Mrs. Jessie Tennille Maschmeyer by her widower, Augustus. The sculpture of a Zuni bird charmer was carefully designed to both fit its prominent setting in front of the Bird House and to reflect Mrs. Maschmeyer’s interests in children and bird-watching. The sculpture originally incorporated a drinking fountain.

Dimensions: 5′ x 4′ x 3′
Year Completed: 1931
Material: Bronze with granite pedestal
Owner: City of St. Louis
Donor: Augustus Maschmeyer


About the artist:

Walker Hancock

1901-1998

Hancock, a native St. Louisian, studied sculpture at Washington University under Victor Holm. He was Resident Sculptor of the American Academy in Rome and became the Director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Art. Among others, he was commissioned to create the Eisenhower Inaugural Medal.