CAST BY HENRI VIAN, PARIS, LATE 19TH CENTURY

The Parisian bronzier and fondeur, Henri Vian, is recorded as having specialised in the production of bronzes in the 18th century style, particularly light fittings. He participated in the Paris Expositions of 1878, 1889 and 1900 and received a Gold Medal in 1889. After Vian's death in 1905 the business, located at 5, rue de la Thorigny, was continued by his wife and son until 1944, when the city of Paris took over the premises for the l'Ecole des Métiers d'Art.