Bijan J. Bijan Brass & Copper Bonsai Tree Wall Sculpture | Signed | 1985

A large and dramatic wall sculpture in polished brass and copper by Bijan J. Bijan, signed and dated 1985. The composition depicts a windswept bonsai tree rising from a cluster of rounded rocks, its sweeping trunk rendered in three-dimensional cast brass and its canopy in layered, pierced brass sheet. Two stylized sailboats rest on a horizon line, their reflections trailing in the water below, while a copper disc representing the sun glows behind the branches. A smaller leafless tree stands to the right, adding to the sense of a serene, contemplative landscape.

Bijan J. Bijan (born Bijan Jazai Shokatfard, Tehran, Iran, 1936 – 2016) emigrated to the United States in 1959 and became one of the most celebrated metal sculptors of the mid-century modern era. Working initially from a rented garage in California, he built an extraordinary body of work in brass, bronze, and copper that earned him the title “Father of Metal Sculpture” — a distinction bestowed upon him by American Express, who called him “the pioneer of metal sculpture.” His collectors included Frank Sinatra, Carol Burnett, and Joey Bishop, and his architectural sculptures found homes on six continents. He became an American citizen in 1972 and later adopted the surname Bijan professionally. This piece is engraved “Bijan 85” on the horizontal brass bar and folds via hinges for easier transportation and storage.

Measurements

Approximately 47"W × 30"H × 4"D