Vintage Soviet-era sculptural bust / architectural-style relief depicting a Soviet tank crewman in a padded tanker helmet.

A particularly striking and unusual piece with a strong monumental / industrial Soviet aesthetic. The head is modelled frontally within a heavy geometric surround, giving it the appearance of a small architectural relief or commemorative sculpture rather than an ordinary decorative figurine.

The exact maker, sculptor and original place of production are currently unknown. Another example of the same design has been documented in a private collection as a Soviet tankman / tanker sculpture sourced from Ukraine, but I have not found a reliable factory mark or catalogue reference, so I am not attributing it more specifically.

The material appears to be a dense plaster / gypsum-type composition with a metallic silver-coloured painted finish. It is surprisingly heavy for its size.

Approximate dimensions:
21 × 13 × 8.5 cm

Weight:
approx. 2.3 kg

Condition:
Original vintage condition with visible age and wear. There are chips and small losses, particularly around the upper outer edge/corner of the surrounding structure, as clearly shown in the photographs. Further minor surface marks, abrasions and small imperfections are present. Importantly, the face and principal sculptural detail remain very well preserved and the damage does not significantly affect the overall appearance.

No restoration has been carried out.

A strong display object for collectors of Soviet design, USSR militaria, Cold War material culture, Soviet sculpture, tank history or 20th-century propaganda and commemorative art.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.