Ernest Johnson Antiques Animal Sculptures

A large 19th century Italian 'Grand Tour' bronze model of seated Hermes (or Mercury) after the Antique. The original sculpture, which was found at the Villa of the Papyri in Herculan...

AFTER MICHELANGELO OF ANTIQUITY Grand Tour Model of Giuliano de Medici from the Medici Chapel in Florence Patinated sand-cast bronze numbered on the back corner "5505", otherwise u...

The philosopher in oratorical pose, with an urn of his writings at his feet. A 19th century casting, good crisp quality on marble base.

A delightful French bronze Grand Tour model of the Arc De Triomphe, circa 1860 in date. The beautifully realistic model is cast in high relief and is mounted on a black marble base....

GRAND TOUR Italian, circa mid-to-late 19th century Ludovisi Mars, After the Antique Patinated bronze raised on an original marble plinth 13 1/2" H x 6 3/8" D x 4 3/4" W (total in...

Cast at Fonderia Sommer in Naples. These were known to be in bars and used as cigarette lighters. Standing Bacchus holding a snake. Foundry signature on base.

A late 19th century Grand Tour bronze figure of “The Dying Gaul”, after the antique. The Dying Gaul depicts a warrior in his final moments, next to his shield and sword, his face contorted in pain just before he collapses from the mortal wound to his chest The original marble figure, which is in the Capitoline museum in Rome is thought to be a Roman copy of a Greek sculpture in Bronze. As an image of a vanquished enemy, the sculpture embodies courage in defeat, self-possession in the face of death, and the recognition of nobility in an alien race. “The Dying Gaul” was found in Rome with another ancient marble...

Italian classical bronze sculpture of the Dancing Faun of Pompeii. Fauns were an example of spirits of untamed woodland, often connected to Pan...

A wonderful third quarter 19th century Italian 'grand tour' ancient marbles specimen plaque in original silver-gilt frame.

Bronze sculpture of bull on marble and wood base-signed.

ISIDORE JULES BONHEUR French, 1827-1901 Taureau Aberdeen-Angus" (Standing Aberdeen-Angus Bull) Patinated sand-cast bronze Signed to base "I. BONHEUR" Item # 211HDB17Z An exquisite and very rare casting of an Aberdeen-Angus bull, an unusual and distinctive breed of cattle from Scotland, this sculpture by Isidore Jules Bonheur is almost without a doubt cast by the foundry of his brother-in-law Hippolyte Peyrol and a rather early model as well in light of the distinctive construction method. In her text on the selection of 46 animal bronzes in the collection of the Georgia Museum of Art, Eleanor Luciano notes regarding this model that "Bonheur is never recorded to have been to Scotland, where he would have seen this unusual breed. Rosa Bonheur painted in Scotland, and its seems likely that Isidore would have drawn the idea for this bull either from one of her sketches or from an agricultural show in France. The animal's rich mane and strong modeling make this one of the most successful." Notable is the very fine surface patination which exhibits a glassy finish with a complex range of colors presenting in the body of the bull, overall being medium brown but augmented with an underlying reddish hue against auburn highlights. The base is signed "I. BONHEUR" in the typical manner. Museum Collections: * National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, acc. no. 2006.128.3 * Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia...

A very fine French 19th century Patinated bronze Figure of "Milo of Croton and the Lion" after the marble sculpture of Milon de Crotone by renown French...