Bull and Bear Sculpture in Real Silver
Bull and bear: the symbols of the financial world
For the 400th anniversary of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, in 1985 the sculptor Reinhard Dachlauer created the striking bronze figures of the bull and the bear, which were presented to the public on 6 October 1988 on the newly designed Börsenplatz. Since then the sculpture has not only stood as an emblem of what happens on the stock exchange, but has also become one of Frankfurt’s most popular photo subjects.
Yet it is not only visitors to the city who see the bull and the bear in a consistently positive light; the financial world does too, even though the two animals symbolise opposing developments. The bull stands for rising prices and the bear for falling ones, and together they are a reminder that success and risk on the stock exchange are inseparably bound up with one another.
The meaning of bull and bear on the stock exchange
The symbolism of the sculpture is probably the most fundamental question that occupies many people. The choice fell on the bull, which embodies the upward trend on the stock exchange, and the bear, which stands for falling prices. This depiction has its origin in the staged fights of the 17th century that were once held in front of the London Stock Exchange.
The fighting behaviour of the two animals differs markedly. While the bull takes its opponent on its horns with an upward movement, the bear strikes downwards with its paws. To this day, the stock-market terms “Hausse” for optimism and “Baisse” for pessimism derive from these opposing movements as emblems of the eternal dynamic between profit and loss on the markets.
The bull as the optimist
The bull stands for what is known as the “Hausse”, that is an optimistic development of prices on the stock exchange. It describes a sustained and steady rise in prices as well as a positive underlying mood among investors, who are hoping for further gains. A momentum of its own often develops in the process, which stock-market traders aptly describe with the saying “Die Hausse nährt die Hausse” – the rally feeds the rally.
In what is known as a “Dienstmädchenhausse”, small investors too finally want to profit from the upward trend and frequently invest in the market without much thought. For experienced traders that already counts as a warning signal, because sooner or later every Hausse is followed by a downturn with losses in price. This is not a stock-market crash, however, but a natural and necessary part of the economic cycle.
The bear as the pessimist
The bear embodies the counterpole to the Hausse, the so-called Baisse. The French word means “to sink” or “to fall” and describes a longer-lasting phase of declining prices. Colloquially this period is referred to as a bear market. The falling values affect not just individual shares but the market as a whole. The mood is subdued, particularly with regard to future developments and company profits.
In order to avoid further losses, many investors sell off larger holdings, which creates additional selling pressure, above all for those who are heavily invested in the market. In such phases the focus turns to stable assets such as government bonds, gold or silver, which are regarded as a safe haven and react less sensitively to market fluctuations.
What makes our bull and bear sculpture in silver special
For BullionArt, Raimund Schmelter has designed the Bulle & Bär pair in three different sizes, in order to reflect each individual’s optimism with regard to silver. The sculptures, made from real silver, take their cue from the famous models in front of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, yet their modelling bears an unmistakable signature.
The creation of our sculptures begins with a model in clay, wax or plaster. A silicone mould taken from it captures the form and serves as the casting pattern for the silver. In the traditional lost-wax process, molten fine silver (999) is poured into the hollow mould. Precise temperature control and many years of experience ensure a flawless sculpture that appears alive.
The small pair, 9 cm high, consists of about 2.3 kg of fine silver; the medium version measures 10 cm and contains around 3.2 kg, while the largest pair, 11 cm high, is made from about 4.4 kg of fine silver. Please note: the large pair is sold out!
The link between precious metals and financial symbolism
Precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium play a significant role in the financial world, both as a store of value and in diversifying investment portfolios. They react less sensitively to inflation and are regarded as a reliable safe haven, particularly in times of crisis. In recent years the standing of precious metals on the stock exchanges has noticeably increased, accompanied by a marked rise in value.
Investors increasingly regard precious metals as a stable basis for safeguarding their assets. Falls in share prices above all can be offset by the stability in value of gold and silver. This is an effect that makes the entire portfolio more resilient and more stable over the long term.
Silver as an investment and as an artistic material
Away from classic coins and bars, silver in artistic form offers a particularly appealing opportunity for investment. BullionArt is aimed at collectors and investors who are looking for a combination of fine material and exceptional design. Whether as an elegant gift or as a lasting investment, BullionArt unites aesthetic ambition with real value.
Anyone who understands precious metals not only as an investment but also as an expression of personality and style will find here a refined alternative to conventional silver bars.