Lot 206
206
A PAIR OF FRENCH BRONZE FIGURES OF PANDORA AND HEBE, cast from models by Eugene Aizelin, both shown standing wearing flowing classical robes, Pandora wearing a classical necklace, her head inclined to the left, holding her casket in her right hand, Hebe wearing necklace and earings, holding her decorated ambrosia ewer in her right hand and a cup in her left, Pandora signed E.NE AIZELIN. F.IT, Hebe signed and dated E.GENE. AIZELIN. 1864, both inscribed F. BARBEDIENNE. FONDEUR. and with Collas Reduction Mechanique stamp, both numbered 28 on the inside, late 19th Century

Details
A PAIR OF FRENCH BRONZE FIGURES OF PANDORA AND HEBE, cast from models by Eugene Aizelin, both shown standing wearing flowing classical robes, Pandora wearing a classical necklace, her head inclined to the left, holding her casket in her right hand, Hebe wearing necklace and earings, holding her decorated ambrosia ewer in her right hand and a cup in her left, Pandora signed E.NE AIZELIN. F.IT, Hebe signed and dated E.GENE. AIZELIN. 1864, both inscribed F. BARBEDIENNE. FONDEUR. and with Collas Reduction Mechanique stamp, both numbered 28 on the inside, late 19th Century
19¾in. (50.3cm.) high (2)
Literature
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Paris, F. Barbedienne, Catalogue des Bronzes d'Art, 1886, p. 42
S. Lami, Dictionnaire des Sculpteurs de l'École Française au Dix-Neuvième Siècle, Paris, 1914, pp. 6-8

Lot Essay

Eugène-Antoine Aizelin (1821-1902), the successful and highly honoured sculptor, created his original marble statues of Hebe and Pandora in 1864, and exhibited them at the Salons of 1865 and 1877 respectively. The figures were edited in bronze by Barbedienne in three sizes, of which the resent pair are the middle size. Aizelin has created two graceful classicising figures, which form an elegant pair, each holding their respective attributes. Both paragons of beauty, Hebe the goddess of youth and cup-bearer to the gods, and Pandora the captivating envoy of Jupiter holding her box of evil and her veiled left hand symbolising her duplicity.

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