Showrooms

French Bronze Sculpture after Antoine-Louis Barye, “Panther of India, no. 1"

Creator: Antoine-Louis Barye -Ferdinand Barbedienne
Offered by: Silla, ltd.

Description
Cast by the firm of Ferdinand Barbedienne, this model is generally identified in the earliest catalogues as "Panther of India No. 1" and was originally listed in Barye’s catalogue of 1855, noted by Poletti as having exhibition in 1860. This is a posthumous cast probably circa 1900, the back being sealed with Barbedienne’s foundry mark.

It is beautifully finished in a rich and complex brown and red-oxide chemical patination. The modeling of the surface is quite excellent and would suggest use of a relatively well preserved mold for the casting. Note the fine naturalistic rippling and texturing of the panther's complex coat. It is an expert sand-cast example, overall being finely chased and chiseled.

Museums in possession of "Panthére de l'Inde no. 1":

The Louvre Museum (Paris)
Brooklyn Museum of Art (New York)
Victoria & Albert Museum (London)
Museum of Fine Arts (Boston)
Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge)
Corcoran Gallery (Washington)
Walters Art Gallery (Baltimore)

Literature & Further Reading:

Bronze Sculpture of “Les Animaliers”, Jane Horswell, 1971, p. 63
Barye: Catalogue Raisonné des Sculptures, Poletti & Richarme, 2000, p. 219
The Barye Bronzes, A Catalogue Raisonné, Stuart Pivar, 1974, p. 165 [A71: “Reclining Panther, Panther couchée”]
The Founders and Editors of the Barye Bronzes, J. G. Reinis, 2007, p. 43-47 [discussion of the role of the F. Barbedienne firm in production of Barye sculpture]
Animals in Bronze, Christopher Payne, 2002, p. 130

Measurements: 3 3/4" H x 7 1/4" W x 2 3/8" D

Condition Report:
Some lightness to patina by signature, perhaps having been over-polished at some point. Slight casting flaw along extreme edge of base.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	France
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Bronze
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Dealer Reference #:	902BPP27L
Incollect Reference #:	301353