RUSSIAN, AFTER THE ORIGINAL BY ETIENNE-MAURICE FALCONET, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY

This jewel-like reduction of Etienne-Maurice Falconet's (1716-1791) bronze equestrian group of Peter I, Emperor of Russia, is certainly his most celebrated work. Falconet, Director of the sculpture atelier at the Sèvres porcelain manufactury from 1757-1766, was called to Russia by Catherine the Great in 1766, on the advice of Diderot, to design a commemorative statue to her predecessor. A model was first presented in 1770 but Falconet's relationship with the Empress had deteriorated to such an extent that by 1778 he left Russia. It was not until 1782, after many technical problems, that the statue was finally installed on the banks of the Neva river -- with Peter's arm flung out to the west.

The present reduction, however, does not bear the famously politic and clever inscription added by Catherine II: 'PETRO PRIMO, CATHARINA SECUNDO.'