Description
Antoine Louis Barye (Fr, 1796-1875)
Candélabres avec perruche et faisan à quatre lumières
(Four-light candelabra with parakeets and pheasants)
Each inscribed ‘BARYE’ (to top of base)
Bronze: Green and dark brown patina
Dimensions: 17.4 inches tall. (44.1 cm.) high
Literature: Poletti & Richarme (2000), p.379, D12; Un age d’or des arts décoratifs, pp.445-46
Provenance: Christie’s Auction New York
Condition: Good condition, ready to place. The candelabras with some rubbing and oxidation, including some verdigris. With some wax residue on candle arms. Slight variations in height of the candle arms. The underside of the foot on one example stamped B; on the example one foot stamped H. The bronzes: Each with minor rubbing to high spots and some minor surface wear. The underside of one with remnants of old paper label.
In the 19th Century decorative bronzes were most often produced anonymously by the large foundries and it was felt that decorative pieces were the preserve of designers rather than artists. A few artists did, however, consider this work worthy of their best efforts and Barye and another animalier sculptor, Fratin, created some of the most important decorative objects of the 19th Century.
Barye displayed the same interest in nature and attention to detail in his decorative oeuvre as he showed in his animalier bronzes. In the present model the candlestick is turned into a knotted and gnarled tree trunk, the arms reaching to hold the candles are leafless, autumnal branches. Each candlestick seats two birds, a pheasant on a low branch, and a parrot with wings outstretched. It is the carefully finished chasing and dedicated description of wildlife which distinguish Barye’s decorative objects from the anonymous pieces produced by the large foundries.
Surviving decorative objects are rare in Barye’s oeuvre as they tend to be less robust than sculptures. This model was edited posthumously by Hector Brame. The first edition was made in 1876 with a further edition produced towards 1900.
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