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A lost-wax bronze sculpture by Théodore Rivière, titled 'Carthage'

Creator: Théodore Louis Auguste Rivière
Offered by: Mayfair Gallery

Description
A lost-wax bronze sculpture by Théodore Rivière, titled 'Carthage'
French, Late 19th Century
Height 41cm, width 23cm, depth 18cm

This superb lost-wax bronze sculpture is by Théodore Rivière, and was cast by the Susse Freres foundry in Paris towards the end of the nineteenth century. It depicts a male figure on his grasping for a standing female figure, and is mounted upon a circular plinth. It takes as its source a famous scene from Gustave Flaubert's 1862 historical novel Salammbo, and the two characters are Salammbo, the titular figure, and her lover Matho.

The novel itself is set in ancient Carthage in the 3rd century BC soon after the first Punic war (264-241 BC), hence the title 'Carthage,' and it depicts the tragic moment when Matho, a rebel chief, in love with Salammbo who is the daughter of the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca against whom he is rebelling, is at last executed at her feet.

Conveying all the power of the original piece, which is proudly displayed in the Musee d'Orsay as it has been since the 1895 Salon Exhibition in which it was unveiled, this lost-wax bronze sculpture is a wonderful piece of sculpture and artistic history.

Artist/Maker: Théodore Rivière

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	France
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Bronze.
Creation Date:	Late 19th Century
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Dealer Reference #:	17091
Incollect Reference #:	577729

Dimensions

W.	9.06 in;	H.	16.14 in;	D.	7.09 in;
W.	23 cm;	H.	41 cm;	D.	18 cm;

Message from Seller:

Mayfair Gallery is a leading gallery in the field of art and antiques, holding a large collection of unique pieces for sale. The breadth of the gallery’s collection is wide, and includes items from a range of periods, styles and geographical origins, as well as works by famous artists and craftsmen. The main focus of the gallery’s collection is, however, on items produced during the 19th and early 20th century.