"SUE" Tyranosaurus rex - A collaboration
49" long X 18" high. - Edition of 48
This is a running articulation of the fossil of Tyranosaurus rex, discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendricks of the Black Hills Institute in Hill City SD. The bones were unearthed on the private ranch of Maurice Williams on Souix Indian reservation land in 1990. Now on public display at the Chicago Field Museum, "Sue" is the largest and most complete T rex ever found. Faithfully sculpted, including injuries incurred in life by Joe Tippmann, Artist on the staff of the BHI drring the time that "Sue" was being excavated. Bill has taken over the production of this bronze, and has re articulated Joe's original design into this dynamic running position. This one is mounted on a piece of Redwood Root Burl from the North Coast of California.
This version was given a Silver Nitrate patina, a medium dark gray seen on some fossils. It was mounted on a large freeform Redwood slab. My modifications to Joe's original design include the bit of terrain where the left foot is planted. The Joe Tippmann's signature and the Edition number is inscribed in the bronze portion oif the base. This and the larger base provide the counter balance for the cantilevered running position. Bronze is a wonderful medium, Strong and durable enough to allow this kind of presentation.
Another, Also with a Redwood Burl base.. This photo was taken in what passes for our front yard!
Custom articulation for a client in Tokyo. This gentleman had seen the Traveling Exhibit of "Sue" in Japan and wanted the sculpture in tha same position. Black Walnut base this time. I like the more agressive head down, tail up stance. I also splayed out the toes on the up lifted foot and twisted the head a bit. The Traveling Exhibit is made up of light weight fiberglass reproductions of the bones, but this is the way it looks.. The real fossile of Sue resides at the Chicago Field Museum
This is Sue's Skull and Cervical Vertebrae, mounted on African Mahogany as shown above, or on Black Walnut, as shown lower right. This Skull, Lower Jaw and Vertebrae are the same components used on the complete running Sue above. The piece is 12 inches long, the base just an inch longer. Two 1/4 inch bronze rods are welded inside the chin and at the back of the skull. These are set in holes in the base. This is how a Museum might present a real fossil Skull. The detail is exquisit, and the teeth at this scale are very sharp. Bite marks from another T rex, found on the real Sue, are evident here as well, a very accurate of Sue's reconstructed Skull.
SPECIAL OFFERS
Custom orders accepted with your choice of Patina, Iron or Silver Nitrate, and your choice of Base; Redwood Burl, Black Walnut, Black Marble or you tell me. Can we articulate one of these for you?? The Black Hills Institute offers Joe's original walking version of "Sue" for around $7,500. I can offer this version
starting at just $5,250 including Packing and Shipping costs. Sue's Skull and Cervical Vertebrae are $750 including Packing and Shipping costs.
© 1997-2006 - Bill & Rebecca Hunt - All Rights Reserved
Detail of the Head and ribcage. This one has a nice rich Iron Nitrate Patina
