ANTOINE-LOUIS BARYE (FRENCH, 1795-1875)

Tortue (Tortoise)

Details

ANTOINE-LOUIS BARYE (FRENCH, 1795-1875)
Tortue (Tortoise)
signed BARYE to the underside and inscribed in black ink 6051, on a black marble plinth, the underside with partial remains of an export label printed [...]EXPORTAÇAO/[...]DO RIO DE JANEIRO
bronze, green/brown patina
1 3/16 in. (3 cm.) high, excluding plinth

Literature

Poletti & Richarme, 2000, no. A206(1), pp. 347-8
Ballu, 1890, p. 151

Lot Essay

Although not offered for sale until 1845, Barye's Tortue was almost certainly inspired by the three-week sojourn of a giant tortoise at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in 1839. Both the large version of the model (this lot), and its reduction (lots 4-5) were cast in considerable numbers, but it seems the majority were purchased by Barbedienne, specifically to decorate the bases of the firm's ornate candelabra.

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