A Watchful Lion by Canova, silver-plated bronze, Paris, ca. 1860–1880
2800,00 zł
Length: 21 cm
Height: 10.5 cm
Width: 6.7 cm
Weight: 2.09 kg
1 in stock
A unique 19th-century cabinet sculpture depicting a watchful lion (Leone vigilante), a masterful reduction of Antonio Canova’s famous work from the monumental tomb of Pope Clement XIII in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, completed in 1792. The figure on offer is a top-quality example of French artistic craftsmanship from the Second Empire or the early Third Republic. The sculpture was created in the renowned Parisian workshop of Léopold Oudry (Léopold Oudry & Cie, active from 1854 to 1882), a pioneer and undisputed master of nineteenth-century electroplating. The use of this innovative technology allowed for almost atomic precision in rendering details, thanks to which the animal’s anatomy, the expression on its muzzle, and the intricate texture of its mane are captured with rare accuracy.
This piece stands out for its set of original, perfectly legible markings, which enhance its collector’s value. The name of the original artist, “Canova,” is engraved on the side of the plinth, while the opposite side bears the publisher’s full signature, “L. OUDRY PRs EDITEUR,” guaranteeing the manufacturer’s official, legal right to reproduce this luxurious design, along with the workshop mark “C.V. T.”. Also noteworthy is the rare and striking finish in the form of silver-plated bronze. Over the years, the precious layer of silver has developed a natural, aged patina, which beautifully highlights the sculpture’s plasticity and neoclassical form. The figure is mounted on its original, contoured black marble base, which complements the metallic luster of the metal perfectly.
| Weight | 2,09 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21 × 10,5 × 6,7 cm |
| Type |
Sculpture |
| Form |
Full-plastic sculpture |
| Materiał |
Marble ,Silver-plated bronze |
| Kolorystyka |
Black ,Silver |
| Technika |
Chiseled casting |
| Czas powstania |
ca. 1860–1880 |
| Kraj pochodzenia |
France |
| Autor |
Léopold Oudry & Cie, a French manufacturer based in Paris |
| State of preservation |
Very good, beautiful old patina |
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