Sculpture
The Autumn King
An original, one-of-one mixed-media sculpture by Mary O’Neal
The Autumn King
Original Sculpture
One-of-One • 2026
70″ H x 22″ W x 14″ D
The Autumn King reimagines the traditional nutcracker as a dramatic, one-of-one mixed media sculpture – regal, exuberant, and unmistakably Southern in spirit.
Layer upon layer of fabric, paint, metallic finishes, rhinestones, trim, and hand-applied embellishments transform the familiar figure into a richly detailed character created to command attention from across the room and reward a closer look.
Months of meticulous handwork went into his creation, with every surface considered and every detail individually finished. The result is an original sculpture that celebrates craftsmanship, color, pageantry, and the magic of autumn in the South.
Details and Craftmanship
Click any image to view the full gallery and explore the work up close.
The Lore
The Legend of The Autumn King
They say that once each autumn, when the air turns cool and the leaves begin to turn gold, the King awakens.
No one knows exactly where he spends the long months between seasons. Some say he sleeps deep within the forest, beneath ancient oaks and fallen leaves. Others say he simply disappears with winter’s first frost, waiting for the earth to call him home again.
But every autumn, he returns.
Dressed in the colors of the season and crowned in splendor, he arrives as keeper of autumn’s brief and beautiful reign – guardian of golden afternoons, changing leaves, harvest moons and the unmistakable magic that comes only once a year.
His season is short.
Perhaps that is what makes it precious.
And when the last leave fall and winter finally comes, the Autumn King disappears once more.
Until next year.
The Creation of The Autumn King
The Autumn King began as a simple form and evolved slowly, layer by layer, into something entirely his own.
Richly patterned fabrics, metallic details and hand-placed embellishments transform the sculpture from crown to base. Look closely and new details emerge – small discoveries woven throughout the work. Deep purple, luminous gold, intricate pattern and unexpected ornament come together to give the King his unmistakable presence.
Many of these decisions were made intuitively as the work progressed, allowing one detail to suggest the next rather than following a predetermined design. The result is not a reproduction or an edition, but an original work that could never be recreated exactly as it exists today.
Created by Mary O’Neal in 2026, The Autumn King is a singular, one-of-one mixed media sculpture – an original character that will never be reproduced.
The Making
Every detail of The Autumn King was shaped, fitted, painted, and embellished by hand as the sculpture evolved.
Hand-Cut & Fitted
Each fabric element was individually patterned, cut, and fitted by hand to follow the contours of the sculpture.
Applied by Hand
Each section of fabric was carefully positioned, adhered, and smoothed by hand to become part of the sculpture’s surface.
Available for Private Acquisition
The Autumn King is available for private acquisition. Collector inquiries are invited by contacting the artist.
Contact the Artist
For pricing, shipping information, or acquisition details for The Autumn King, please send an inquiry below.