Here for your consideration is a fabulous, rare, 19th century, gilt bronze sculpture of a Hibou (Hunting Owl), with exquisite surface detail, raised on a mottled marble and black felt plinth, signed Barye with the F Barbedienne foundry mark. This model of an owl with a mouse/rat is one of Barye's earliest animal sculptures created in the late 1820's. The owl sits perched on top of a single boulder with its prey, a mouse/rat, clutched in its talons. Barye has captured the full detail of the owl's feathers, with its outstretched wings frozen in a moment of time.
A fabulous gilt bronze in excellent condition, with no damage, dents or dinks, trust me, whoever purchases this, will not be disappointed. A 100% genuine, authentic, Barye, Barbedienne bronze. The quality and workmanship in this delightful gilt bronze is just simply exquisite !!
Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810–1892) ....
A French manufacturer and metalworker, who was well known as a bronze founder. The Barbedienne foundry was set up in Paris circa 1838 by Ferdinand Barbedienne and his friend Achille Collas. Ferdinand Barbedienne worked in conjunction with most of the French sculptors of Paris including David D'Angers, Jean-Baptiste Clesinger, and Antoine Louis Barye to name but a few !!
Antoine-Louis Barye (1796–1875) ....
A French sculptor, most famous for his animal sculptures. Barye began his career working with his father as a goldsmith, but by 1810 he'd started working with the sculptor Guillaume-Mertin Biennais, (who was Napoleon's goldsmith). In 1818 he first exhibited at the E'cole des Beaux-Arts.
Barye excelled in his modelling of animals. Fame came late in Barye's life. In 1854 he became Professor of Drawings at the Museum of Natural History, and in 1868 was elected to the Academie des beaux-arts. A public square on the east side of lle Saint-Louis in Paris is dedicated to him and today most of Antoine Louis Barye's models and casts are exhibited in the Louvre, Paris.
Dimensions as follows .....
Height: 4.5 inches or 11.5 cm
Diameter: 3.6 inches or 9.3 cm (Base)
Wingspan: 6.5 inches or 16.5 cm
Weight: 2lb or 917 grams
If you're a bronze collector then this is a must-have, quality piece to add to any collection. It's simply magnificent and will be a real talking point amongst family and friends. A very well defined, stunning gilt bronze, with exquisite workmanship. Barye bronzes actually don't come up for sale very often. These gilt bronzes are appreciating in value and have become so very collectable. (Better than keeping your money in the bank at the moment).
A stunning gilt bronze owl that would make an ideal gift. This beautiful gilt bronze owl will be sent out recorded, special delivery with insurance.
Please note, all my international postal charges are only estimates and will be confirmed and altered up or down when I know the destination of where items are being sent. Please also note I only charge actual costs of postage and packaging with insurance, no more.
Please feel free to look at my other items.