A FRENCH BRONZE GROUP ENTITLED 'THE COMBAT', cast from a model by Philippe Poitevin, of two lancers at battle, each with stylised helmets, their unbridled charges rearing and falling respectively, on an oval rocky base, signed, POITEVIN and inscribed BOY, the stepped base with title plaque, with modern black-painted rectangular wood plinth, the group late 19th Century

Details
A FRENCH BRONZE GROUP ENTITLED 'THE COMBAT', cast from a model by Philippe Poitevin, of two lancers at battle, each with stylised helmets, their unbridled charges rearing and falling respectively, on an oval rocky base, signed, POITEVIN and inscribed BOY, the stepped base with title plaque, with modern black-painted rectangular wood plinth, the group late 19th Century
the group: 28in. (71cm.) wide; 28¾in. (73cm.) high; 11in. (28cm.) deep
the pedestal: 35in. (89cm.) wide; 38¼in. (97.5cm.) high; 15¼in. (38.8cm.) deep

Lot Essay

Philippe Poitevin (1831-1907) studied at the Ecole des beaux-arts in Paris and remained there for a period of ten years, whereupon he returned to Marseille, working mainly for the Palais de Longchamp. His works were exhibited in the Paris Salon from 1855, among them busts, plaques, figures and genre scenes.

This particular group depicts a combat between a Cimbrian and Roman warrior. The homeland of the Cimbrians was a region of northern Jutland. From there Germanic warriors, under Cimbrian leadership went through Southern Europe in 200 BC. In the following years the Cimbrians met Roman armies in several battles in Austria, France and Italy.

Boy was the name of a foundry, active during the second half of the 19th Century.

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