This is a rare group by Auguste Nicolas Cain (1822-1894) which relates to his model of a cockerel standing on an upright basket of 1857 (cf. Horsewell, op. cit.). The subject of the cockerel was a favourite of Cain's, and this is further testified by the 'precious' silvering and chiselling on the present group. The celebrated firm of silversmiths and goldmiths, Christophle, were active from 1842 and produced luxury editions in silver, gold and silvered bronze by such sculptors as Carpeaux, Carrier-Belleuse, Gérôme and Cain.