"Cobra - Poised, Ready to Strike" Bronze Sculpture by Richard Pietruska
Item Details
- Seller: Essence-of-Speed2
- Location: Los Angeles County, California 90405
- Lot #: M-0019551
Available for auction is one of the earliest sculptures by Richard Pietruska, a member of the Automotive Fine Arts Society since 1996 and professor at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena for over 40 years. This limited edition Cobra sculpture is cast bronze and painted with automotive paints. It is unique in that it morphs from a cobra snake body into a 427 Shelby Cobra on top. Hence the title: Poised, Ready to Strike. The sculpture is approximately 14" high and mounted on a black granite base that is 2" thick. The piece is quite heavy and weighs about 27 lbs. The seller states Carroll Shelby thought it was a surprising and amusing interpretation of his Cobra. He got to see it at one of his Kids' Car Designing Contests at the Petersen Automotive Museum when the seller had the privilege to join him to judge the entrants many years ago. 
Richard Pietruska teaches in the Transportation Design Department and has taught many of the top automotive designers in the world from just about every car company. His sculptures have been featured in many automotive magazine articles, Concours, museum shows, and automotive collections around the world. All of Richard's sculptures are done by hand taking many hours to get the look and feel for the concept to be just right. This is the only one that is painted in this super shiny black finish and clear coated. The gradation from black to silver adds more dimension to the piece.
This sculpture always attracted a lot of attention wherever it was shown and would make a great conversation piece for that serious Cobra aficionado. The buyer is responsible for shipping, handling, and fees.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $3,600
- Auction End: Jun 09, 2022 08:55:27PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 48
Comments (57)
Sold for $3,600
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Thank you all for bidding. I did lower the reserve but there still is a way to go. Good luck...
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There is a lot of labor and costs involved with doing bronze casting. You will not find this type of unique sculpture and quality anywhere else in the automotive art world at this scale. Please enjoy it and thanks for bidding.
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Wow, this is beautiful!!!!!
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@jforte The sculpture is signed for sure... thanks for the comments and support.
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Richard, amazing work. Any chance for an autograph on this piece for the winning bidder?
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You're doing great work Richard - Good luck with the Auction!
Bid in the amount of $95
Please check out my website - rpmart.com
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If sold in California the buyer will have to pay sales tax.