Juan de Ávalos (1911-2006) - Sculpture, Cetro de Campeón - 45 cm - Bronze

Sculpture **“Sceptre of Champions”**, made in bronze during the 1990s by the Spanish sculptor **Juan de Ávalos**, one of the most outstanding figures of Spanish monumental sculpture of the 20th century. Born in Mérida in 1911, Ávalos developed an extensive artistic career characterized by mastery of the human figure, the monumental nature of his compositions, and a powerful ability to synthesize symbolism and expressive force. His work is represented in numerous public spaces, monuments, and institutional collections, and he is recognized as one of the great Spanish sculptors of his generation.

The present piece fully captures the plastic language developed by the artist in his later decades of production. The composition revolves around an emerging arm that holds a triumphal scepter crowned by a symbolic, winged form conceived as an allegory of victory, merit, and excellence. The hand, modeled with intensity and anatomical vigor, becomes the central axis of the work, conveying a sense of ascent, conquest, and overcoming.

The structure incorporates circular geometric elements in bronze that dialogue with the vertical lines of the scepter, generating an interesting contrast between movement and stability. The verdigris patina applied to certain areas creates a chromatic differentiation that enhances the volumes and emphasizes the sculptural richness of the whole. The design combines a contemporary aesthetic with classical references, a habitual characteristic in the mature production of Juan de Ávalos.

The base bears the inscription of **Máster Internacional de Empresas**, evidencing its commemorative or institutional nature, as well as the reproduced signature of the sculptor. The set rests on a veined marble pedestal that lends nobility and exhibition presence to the work. However, it is important to note that this base shows several cracks and visible fissures, especially in the frontal area, as seen in the photographs. These alterations affect the condition of the pedestal, though they do not diminish the artistic interest of the sculpture or the quality of the casting.

Because of its authorship, its marked allegorical symbolism, and its link to one of the most relevant Spanish sculptors of the 20th century, this work constitutes an interesting piece of contemporary collecting, representative of Juan de Ávalos’s late production and of his ability to transform concepts such as triumph, effort, and recognition into a sculpture with great visual impact.

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