Lot 125
125
A French parcel-gilt patinated bronze figure entitled 'David'
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A French parcel-gilt patinated bronze figure entitled 'David'

AFTER THE MODEL BY ANTONIN MERCIÉ, CAST BY FERDINAND BARBEDIENNE, CIRCA 1875

Details
A French parcel-gilt patinated bronze figure entitled 'David'
After the model by Antonin Mercié, Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, Circa 1875
The draped figure of David returning his sword to its sheath, his right foot resting on Goliath's head, on a circular base inscribed A.Mercié to the top, and F.Barbedienne.Fondeur.Paris to the side, with stamp REDUCTION MECANIQUE A. COLLAS BREVETE to the back
36 in. (92 cm.) high
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

A student of Jouffroy and Falguière at the Ecole des beaux-arts, Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié (1845-1916) won the Grand Prix de Rome at 23 years old with his work Thésée vainqueur du Minotaure. In 1872, he sent the plaster model of his work David vainqueur to the Salon, for which he won the first class medal. At the same time, he received La croix de la Légion d'honneur at the Villa Medici. His return to Paris, in 1874, issued in a long and brilliant career with numerous commissions, notably the monuments for Louis-Philippe and Queen Marie-Amélie for the Royal Chapel at Dreux (1886).

From 1880, Mercié began painting but it was his sculpture that won him awards and medals. In 1892, he entered L'Institut de France and in 1913, three years before his death, he was nominated as president of La Société des artistes français.

More from The Nineteenth Century Interior

View All
View All