catalog text
PIERRE JULES CAVELIER (FRENCH, 1814-94) ANTIQUE BRONZE SCULPTURE "PENELOPE", CAST BY F. BARBEDIENNE
Impressed "J. Cavelier 887" w/ the A. Collas reduction seal and inscription in the base of "432 F. Barbedienne Fondeurs", c. 1860-80
Item # 411GMR02
This is a precious little antique bronze sculpture by Pierre Jules Cavelier, originally exhibited at Salon in 1842 as Femme Grecque Edormie in plaster, later as marble in 1849 under the title of Penelope. It was cast almost exclusively by the foundry of Ferdinand Barbedienne and is the only Cavelier sculpture to appear in their 1886 catalog in five reductions after the original. This cast is La reduction no. 5, originally offered at 125 francs with a height of 16 cm. His works are very scarce, only two sculptures being catalogued in Berman's extensive reference work (vol. III). The present example is particularly delightful for it's stunning patina, the deep red with hints of black and browns, specks of black and traces of gold. It is absolutely stunning. Moreover, particularly surprising is the level of detail in a work of such diminutive proportions - a very high level of skill is demanded to cast a work this small with this level of utter perfection, the tooling of the clothing and stool executed with the precision of a jeweler.
Measurements: 6" H (15.25 cm) x 5 3/8" W (13.65 cm) x 3 7/16" D (8.73 cm)
Condition Report:
Patina wear to edges of base, tip of toe, corners of chair and folds of garments - this is all very light and almost non-noteworthy.