Fish Statue - Cute Bronze Goldfish - Martin Klein - signed

Cute Goldfish – An Exquisite Animal Bronze Figurine – Signed Martin Klein

This fish statue stands 16.5 centimeters tall – a truly small fish statue – yet still appears sublime. The body, designed as a smooth ellipsoid, evokes the classic curve of a well-fed goldfish. Fins protrude from the sides, so thin they appear almost weightless; each fin edge curves and flaps outward, suggesting the slightest current. The upturned mouth and slightly domed forehead give the fish an expression of gentle curiosity, as if pausing mid-swim to gaze at its viewer. Although stylized, the anatomy remains utterly believable: faint scale patterns run across the flanks, and tiny grooves along the dorsal fin catch the light in soft highlights, evoking the dance of sunlight on water.

The Beginnings of a Saxon Sculptor

Martin Klein was born in 1979 in the charming town of Bischofswerda, Saxony, where he made his first sketches of farm animals and the gentle forms of fish in the surrounding streams. Surrounded by the region's verdant landscape and historic Baroque architecture, Klein developed an early fascination with organic forms and the play of light on living creatures. His years at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts refined this fascination into a disciplined technique: He returned to Leipzig to open a small studio, determined to capture the poetic essence of the animal world in durable bronze.

Forged in Leipzig: The Creation of the Goldfish

Klein began by sculpting a simple clay model of a goldfish—a creature known for its delicate fins and serene, gliding movements. For weeks, he studied live goldfish in aquariums in his riverside studio, observing how their scales refracted the light and their fins undulated like silk ribbons. The clay mold was completed and sent to a specialized foundry in northern Saxony, where skilled artisans performed a lost-wax casting. Molten bronze suffused each jagged gill and curled fin before the piece was carefully cooled, chiseled, and polished to a gentle patina that accentuated its organic curves.

Bronze and Patina: A Blend of Warmth and Grace

Instead of a heavy, tarnished surface, Klein opted for a warm, golden-brown patina that gradually deepens around the fish's belly and fins. This hue evokes the natural shimmer of goldfish scales, rendered in metal. The lost-wax casting process allowed for seamless transitions from polished surfaces to gently rounded filigree—a testament to the foundry's mastery. The sculpture's base, a flat slab of dark marble with ivory veins, provides stable support without obstructing the fish's airy movements. When backlit or placed near a window, the bronze shimmers subtly and, despite its massive form, conveys a sense of the animal's aquatic origins.

Symbolism and Serenity

In many cultures, goldfish symbolize happiness, harmony, and serenity—qualities that Klein expresses in this serene metal sculpture. Displayed on a nightstand or a quiet desk shelf, the sculpture serves as a contemplative focal point, inviting moments of peace and reflection. Its small size makes it ideal for intimate spaces, yet its meticulous craftsmanship draws attention: Passersby pause to admire its billowing fins, as if the fish could simply leap from its pedestal and glide away.

An Heirloom Full of Subtle Wonders

As a fish statue, the "Cute Goldfish" combines playful charm with refined artistry. It makes an exceptional gift—whether to celebrate a new home, a milestone birthday, or as a carefully selected fish statue for collectors who appreciate animal motifs in bronze. Each cast is discreetly signed "Martin Klein" on the underside of the fins, underscoring its authenticity and linking it to the artist's ongoing exploration of the quiet grace of nature. Over time, the patina may further deepen and lighten in raised areas, so that each encounter reveals new subtleties—a flash of light on a fin, a shadow on the belly—ensuring this sculpture will remain a treasured focal point for years to come.

Height: 16.5 cm
Width: 13 cm
Depth: 9 cm
Weight: 1.7 kg
100% Bronze