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Place of Origin: French
A French painted terracotta horse head, C. 1920.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Expressively modeled with strong anatomical detail, the piece features a soft, timeworn painted finish with a distinctive white blaze that adds character and contrast. Likely intende...
Category
Early 20th Century French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Stylized Frog Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized frog sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the unders...
Category
Late 20th Century French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Crystal
$260 Sale Price
20% Off
Lalique Crystal Frosted Head Down Swan Sculpture Resting On Mirrored Plateau
By Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your decor with this exquisite Lalique Crystal Large Frosted Swan Sculpture, elegantly poised with its head gracefully lowered, resting on a fitted oval mirror base. This sculpture is a true masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship, bearing the signature of the renowned Lalique brand and its origin in France. The swan, expertly crafted from frosted crystal, exudes an air of elegance and tranquility. Its sleek form and graceful posture make it a captivating focal point for any space. Resting on the fitted oval mirror base, the sculpture gains an added dimension, reflecting and enhancing its beauty.
Imagine this Lalique Crystal Swan...
Category
Late 20th Century French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Crystal
Saint Clément Vintage French Barbotine Majolica Gallic Rooster Absinthe Pitcher
By Saint-Clément
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage French Majolica glazed Absinthe water pitcher formed as a rooster, St. Clément, circa 1940-1950. The Gallic rooster, in French: le coq gaulois, i...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Provincial French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware
Stunning Antique Quality Bronze Marble Clock Garniture w. Bald Eagle Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and amazing 19th century mantel clock garniture.
If you are looking for a one of a kind and truly spectacular clock to grace your living space then this work of beauty could ...
Category
Late 19th Century Belle Époque Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
French 1890s Gilded Zinc Horse Head Sculpture with Angular Traits and Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French gilded zinc horse head sculpture from the late 19th century, with stylized character and distressed patina. Created in France during the last decade of the 19th century, thi...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Zinc
Antique
Striking Empire Revival Gilt Bronze Swan Sculptures Pendant Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and fine size chandelier with gilt bronze swan sculptures.
If you are looking for a truly stylish, well proportioned and top quality m...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Revival French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique Bronze Sculpture, Signed by Auguste Cain, Coq Sur Un Panier, Rooster
By Auguste Cain
Located in Greven, DE
Antique sculpture signed by Auguste Cain 1821-1894.
Auguste-Nicolas Caïn (born November 10, 1821 in Paris; † August 6, 1894) was a French animal sculptor and medalist.
Title of bronze work: "le Chant Du Coq."
This model is illustrated in the literature: Pierre Kjellberg...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900
By J. Filmont Caen
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog Bavent signed Filmont, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Provincial Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Art Deco Style Panther Sculpture Baghera by Max Le Verrier, France
By Max Le Verrier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco style panther sculpture BAGHERA by Max Le Verrier.
Signed Le Verrier and with foundry mark Le Verrier Paris.
Designed around 1920. Posthumous contemporary cast.
Patinated ...
Category
2010s Art Deco French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal
Antique Wild Boar Sculpture in Bronze, France, 1920s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small desk og mantle bronze depicting a young wild boar standing on a log. Fine detailing and a rich golden patina. Signed/marked France to its base. Where it was made circa 1920-25....
Category
1920s Late Victorian Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$480 Sale Price
44% Off
Art Deco Panther sculpture, black ceramic, 1930
s, in the style of Saint-Clément
By Saint-Clément
Located in BELFORT, FR
French Art Deco ceramic panther sculpture, 1930's. Black glaze.
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Bronze Dog, Pierre-Jules Mène, circa 1870
Located in Greven, DE
Pierre-Jules Mène - Pointing dog
France
Bronze
around 1870
Dimensions: H x W x D: 16 x 33 x 12 cm
Description:
This animal bronze by Pierre-Jules Mène shows a long-haired hunting ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Miniature Gilt Bronze Model of a Squirrel by P.J. Méne
By P.J. Mêne
Located in Folkestone, GB
Miniature gilt bronze model of a squirrel eating a nut by P.J. Méne (France 1810-1879).
Category
Early 20th Century Edwardian French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco panther Sculpture, gold, France 1935
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Art Deco panther Sculpture
Ceramic golden patinated.
France 1935
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Francois Xavier Lalanne for Daum, Oiseau de verre, 56/300, circa 1979
By François-Xavier Lalanne
Located in LYON, FR
Sublime oiseau de Daum et Francois-Xavier Lalanne en verre et bronze.
Editée en 1978, cette pièce est signée deux fois et numérotée 56/300.
C'est une véritable pièce de collection...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Sculpture Work by Dedessus les Moustier
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A wall-mounted sculpture with the signature of Dedessus les Moustier. It was discovered in France. It has a mysterious charm due to its unique color and motif.
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Bronze lunging Mastiff Dog Charles Valton 1890 France
By Charles Valton
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very impressive large figure of a Mastiff Bronze Dog , It is finely detailed. The clasp holding the chain on the dog's collar is also cast bronze. Finished in a dark brown patina, ...
Category
1890s Victorian Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
1920s Antique French Art Deco Bronze Pheasant Sculpture Marble Plinth Statue 28"
Located in Dayton, OH
An exception French Art Deco Bronze Statue of Pheasant on Marble Base, circa 1920s. Features the flamboyant bird in a more relaxed mood, ...
Category
1920s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$1,260 Sale Price
30% Off
Art Deco Saint-Clément Style Panther France Green-Glazed Ceramic
By Saint-Clément
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Elegant and finely crafted Art Deco–style panther in green-glazed ceramic, produced in France. The proud animal is depicted in its characteristic silent pre-attack stance: the body i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Art Deco Style Sculpture of a Walking Lion by Max Le Verrier original, France
By Max Le Verrier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very impressive Art Deco style sculpture of a walking lion by the famous French sculptor Max Le Verrier.
Art metal with beautiful dark brown patina on a black marble base.
Contempo...
Category
2010s Art Deco French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Metal
Pair Patinated Bronze Animals Cats after Swiss Artist Edouard-Marcel Sandoz
By Edouard-Marcel Sandoz
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exceptionally Stylish Pair of Patinated Bronze seated Cats, modelled in the Art Deco Style, after a model by Swiss animalier sculptor and painter Eduard Douard Marcel 1881-1971
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Brutalist sculpture in welded and patinated copper and brass - Jarc - 1970
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Brutalist sculpture in welded and patinated copper and brass, depicting a stylized animal. Created by the artist Jarc in the 1970s, it is in excellent condition with a beautiful patina.
Category
1970s Brutalist Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
$541 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage French Paperweight Crystal Pelican Sculpture, Signed Baccarat
By Michele Oka Doner
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A vintage French pelican sculpture paperweight signed by Baccarat standing at 3 inches is a charming representation of the brand's renowned craftsmanship. Elegantly crafted from fine...
Category
1990s Post-Modern French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
$93 Sale Price
25% Off
Art Deco Panther Sculpture on Marble Base, France 1930s
By Salvatore Melani
Located in Bochum, NRW
Art Deco sculpture depicting a stalking panther, France, circa 1930
Green patinated spelter panther on a rectangular, profiled pedestal of white veined, black, and red marble.
Dimen...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Early 20th C. Bronze Horse Sculpture Signed Milo and J. B. Paris Foundry Stamp
By Milo
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique bronze sculpture of a standing horse was cast in France in the early 20th century and is signed “Milo” on the naturalistic base. The piece is mounted on a shaped...
Category
Early 20th Century French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Candle Pendant Light or Chandelier with Cherub
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and small six light chandelier with gilt bronze cherub and swan sculptures.
This top quality made, 19th century candle pendant or small chandelier could be perfect for you...
Category
1860s Empire Revival Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Panther of Tunisia” by Antoine-Louis Barye
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ANTOINE-LOUIS BARYE
French, 1796-1875
Panther of Tunisia [smaller version]
Sand-cast patinated bronze
Signed in cast BARYE
Cast executed last quarter of the 19th century
3 1/2" H ...
Category
19th Century Romantic Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Elephant Sculpture by Irénée Rochard, French Art Deco, circa 1930/40s
By Irénée Rochard
Located in Ulm, DE
This expressive Art Deco bronze sculpture by Irénée Rochard captures a tender moment: a mother elephant and her calf, lovingly connected in movement. The calf’s trunk gently touches ...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Art Deco Cast Resin White Polar Bear Sculpture After Francois Pompon
By François Pompon
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Art Deco Cast Resin White Polar Bear Sculpture after Francois Pompon.
The cast resin white polar bear sculpture is a reproduction of the famous work by Francois Pompon .
Dimensions: ...
Category
Late 20th Century Minimalist French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Fully Articulated Wooden Artist
s Model Of Horse
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique French hand-carved artist's model of an articulated wooden horse. Horse has articulated head and legs, neck is jointed, but does not move, and has a horsehair tail. Horse is ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Michel Decoux, “La Chasse” — French Art Deco Patinated Bronze Sculpture, c. 1920
By Michel Decoux
Located in Bochum, NRW
An exceptional and rare **French Art Deco bronze figural group by the Belgian sculptor Michel Decoux (1837–1924)**, titled *La Chasse” (The Hunt), featuring a poised hunter in dynam...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Bronze
19th Century Majolica Wheat Jardiniere With Birds Delphin Massier
By Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th Century Majolica wheat vase jardiniere with birds signed Delphin Massier.
The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. The Massier family p...
Category
1890s Country Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Majolica
Pair of brass heron or crane birds sculpture, 1970
s
Located in BELFORT, FR
Pair of brass heron or crane birds, from the 1970's.
Measurements : height 17 cm and 30,5 cm / width 9 cm and 21,5 cm / base diameter 8 cm.
Category
1970s Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Brass
Edouard Marcel SANDOZ Porcelain Pigeon Candy Box, 1916
By Edouard-Marcel Sandoz
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Porcelain Pigeon Candy Box by Edouard Marcel Sandoz for Haviland Limoges, 1916
A rare and exquisite French Art Deco porcelain pigeon candy box, designed by the celeb...
Category
1910s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Gorilla Kong Sculpture in Solid Bronze Orlinski
By Richard Orlinksi
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Gorilla Kong all in solid
bronze. Limited edition of 8 pieces,
numerated 8/8. By Richard Orlinski.
Exceptional piece.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
20th Century French Bronze Polar Bear Sculpture - Vintage Décor by Pierre Chenet
By Pierre Chenet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Art Deco Style French polar bear sculpture made of hand crafted patinated bronze, designed and produced by Pierre Chenet in good condition. The deta...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Sheep Ram Stools with Fur and Horn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Pair of beautiful Sheep stools . Unique and beautiful in the living room, den or Childs room
The pair are wonderfully decorative, however are used for stools, or as a pull up in a room when extra guests come by.
They are a wooden frame with Yak fur...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Horn, Fur, Canvas, Wood
$5,998 / set
Bronze Sculpture of a Basset Hound in Patinated Bronze, sign Barye.
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th century patinated bronze sculpture of a Basset hound, animal sculpture, signed Barye, antique cast, red marble base.
H: 14.5cm, W: 23cm, D: 10cm
Please contact us before order...
Category
19th Century Napoleon III Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French, Antique Bronze Sculpture of Aberdeen Angus Bull by Isidore Bonheur
By Isidore Jules Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
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...
Category
19th Century Romantic Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco Pair of Elephant Bookends, French, C1930
Located in Devon, England
Very stylish and rare matching pair of Art Deco bookends. These are a great find and in exceptional condition. Originating from France and dating to the 1930s both stand on marble ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Baccarat Signed Crystal Glass Panther Sculpture, France
By Baccarat
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, A collector’s item made by Baccarat in France.
The Baccarat panther is a stylish and minimalistic crystal sculpture of a lying panther. Crafted with purity an...
Category
1970s Other Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Crystal
20th Century French Vintage Wall Mount Terra Bull Head
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage French wall mount sculpture in hand made in terracotta with a weathered aged patina, in good condition. The wall sculpture is meticulously handcrafted and typical for the r...
Category
20th Century French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Gilt
Patinated Bronze Jockey On Horse, Equestrian Statue, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A French Jockey à Cheval tabletop sculpture from the Napoleon III period crafted in gilt and patinated bronze, depicting a jockey and his faithful horse in fine detail.
The piece re...
Category
19th Century Napoleon III Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze
$2,773 Sale Price
20% Off
Charles Valton, The Tracking Wolf, Romantic Period Sculpture 19th Century France
By Charles Valton
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb wolf sculpture in bronze and marble flooring simulating snow by the artist Charles Valton. The wolf dutifully follows an adventurer whose ste...
Category
19th Century Romantic Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Lalique Signed Frosted Crystal Dove in Flight Sculpture, France
By Lalique
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, A collector’s item made by Lalique in France.
Impressive frosted sculptural figure of a dove in flight; engraved design on widespread wings. Raised on a pedes...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Crystal
Att. to Louis Albert Carvin, Greyhound Sculpture, French Art Deco 1930s
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb and large sculpture of two alert greyhounds in beautiful Art Deco period green patina. Attributed to Louis Albert Carvin. Set on an elegant brown and white veined marble base....
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Large Neoclassical Antique French Bronze, Education of Achilles, Francois Rude
By Francois Rude
Located in New York, NY
Large, exceptional quality bronze sculpture depicting The Education of Achilles by the Centaur Chiron, after the model by Francois Rude.
Ear...
Category
Early 19th Century Grand Tour Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Edouard-Marcel Sandoz "Jewel Rabbit" Gold Ormolu Bronze Sculpture
By Edouard-Marcel Sandoz
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Fine original early 1900s cast bronze Rabbit with a Gold Ormolu finish by Edouard-Marcel Sandoz. Sandoz is well known for his animal sculptures. He apprenticed under the sculptor Ant...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Normandy
By Bavent
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog from Bavent (Normandy), circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Provincial Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Demetre Chiparus Art Deco Terracotta Sculpture Elephant and Baby, circa 1930
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Atlanta, GA
Demétre Chiparus, Rare Art Deco Terracotta Sculpture of Walking Elephants, France, circa 1920
An exquisite and rare terracotta sculpture by the celebrated Art Deco artist Demétre Chi...
Category
1920s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Art Deco Style Panther Sculpture OUGANDA by Max Le Verrier, France
By Max Le Verrier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ouganda, Art Deco style sculpture by Max Le Verrier with foundry mark.
Designed ca. 1920/1930.
Posthumous contemporary cast at the Max Le Verrier foundry in Paris.
Handcrafted.
Wi...
Category
2010s Art Deco French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal
Salvatore Melani Young Lady and Lamb Sculpture, 1920
By Salvatore Melani
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco sculpture by Salvatore Melani, France, 1920s. "Lady with a lamb". Spelter, marble & onyx. Height: 8.5"(21.5cm), Width:17.65"(45cm), Depth: 5.3"(13.5cm). Signed "S.Mel...
Category
1920s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal
“Lutte pour la vie” Scarce French Bronze Sculpture by Edouard Drouot
By Edouard Drouot
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EDOUARD DROUOT
French, 1859-1945
"Lutte pour la vie" [A fight to survive]
Patinated and polychromed bronze on verde marble signed "E. Drouot” cast circa 1920
Item # 311GTN28A
A ve...
Category
20th Century Romantic French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Rare French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Mare and Foal” by Isidore Bonheur
By Isidore Jules Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ISIDORE JULES BONHEUR
French, 1827-1901
"Mare and her Foal"
Sand-cast nuanced medium-brown patinated bronze
Signed in cast "I. BONHEUR" and cold-stamped PEYROL verso
Cast circa 187...
Category
19th Century Romantic Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Charles Lemanceau French Art Deco Llama Statue 1920
By Sainte Radegonde, Charles Lemanceau
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Art Deco Llama Sculpture by Charles Lemanceau for Saint-Clément (Lunéville), France, 1920s — French Art Deco Ceramic
This striking French Art Deco llama sculpture was created in the...
Category
1920s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Gilded Grace – Late 19th-Century French Hind (Deer) Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Édouard-Paul Delabrierre (French, 1829–1912), Hind (Deer) Beside a Stump — Fire-Gilt Bronze on White Marble, early 20th century
A crisply chased, fire-gilt bronze study of a doe step...
Category
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Antique French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Art Deco Bronze Panther, Signed Secondo, France circa 1930
By M. Secondo
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant Art Deco Panther sculpture by Secondo from France circa 1930.
Beautiful green patinated bronze with carvings that create the illusion of fur. Standing on a rectangular green...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Louis Albert Carvin, Lovebirds, France Art Deco, 1920s
By Louis-Albert Carvin
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful romantic Art Deco spelter sculpture by Louis Albert Carvin (1875-1951) of two lovebirds standing atop some grapes and a quiver filled wit...
Category
1920s Art Deco Vintage French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamond, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal,
Lapis Horse
By Mellerio
Located in Queens, NY
Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamond, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Obsidian
Lapis Horse
An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt rock-crystal, obsidian and lapis lazuli jeweled sculpture "Bucéphale, Chevaux de légende", "Bucephalus, A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1998.
Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock crystal slab is finely applied with a lapis lazuli half-horse with harness mounted in 18k gold and brilliant cut diamonds, between two crystal and lapis lazuli columns adorned with gold and diamonds, insert with 7 ruby cabochons and 1 emerald cabochon, the obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5029 DIV
Bucephalus (c355-326 BC) is among the most famous horses in history, and it was said that this he could not be tamed. The young Alexander the Great, of course, tamed him – and went on to ride his beloved equine companion for many years and into many battles.
The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece.
Measures 10" high x 9" wide x 4" deep
Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland.
Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection.
Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong.
July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy.
The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia.
From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles.
This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850).
The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress.
We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time.
The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix.
1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court.
The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...
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