A San Francisco couple discovered a 150-pound [1] limestone sculpture buried in their backyard while grading the land.
The find highlights the hidden architectural and artistic history of the city's residential neighborhoods, where artifacts from previous eras often remain concealed.
Greg Gatwood, a design landscaper, and his partner Judy Gittelsohn found the object in late May 2024 [4]. The sculpture is a bust measuring about two feet wide and nine inches thick [2]. It was located in the Russian Hill neighborhood, an area situated near an art school.
Efforts to identify the creator of the piece have so far been unsuccessful. The couple said they have consulted around 50 experts [3] to determine the sculpture's origin, but no definitive attribution has been made.
Some theories suggest the piece may be linked to the city's Art Deco history. Specifically, some speculate the work could be tied to the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition [1], or be the work of artist Ralph Stockpole.
Despite these leads, the limestone bust remains an anonymous piece of the city's past. The couple continues to seek information regarding who created the sculpture and why it was buried in their yard.
“A 150-pound limestone sculpture buried in their backyard”
The discovery of a large-scale limestone work in a residential area suggests that significant public or private art from San Francisco's early 20th-century development may have been discarded or hidden during urban renewal. If the piece is linked to the Golden Gate International Exposition, it represents a tangible remnant of a major historical event that shaped the city's global image.
