Antique French Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Model of Vendôme Column 19thc

This is a wonderful antique French Grand Tour gilt bronze model of the Vendôme Column, circa 1880 in date.

 

This splendid bronze features Napoleon I standing atop in his 'redingote' coat and trademark hat, after the original by Charles-Emile Seurre. Construction on the original Vendôme column was started in 1806 at Napoleon’s direction to celebrate the victory of Austerlitz, and completed in 1810. 

 

The spiralling column is covered in delightful bas-relief gilt bronze plates - which resemble the original bronze plates constructed out of cannons taken from the combined armies of Europe. 

 

It is raised on an elegant white Carrara marble platform base. 

 

This stunning high-quality bronze is superbly cast and has an elegant bronze patina. It is made from the lost-wax process, otherwise known as 'cire perdue' method.

 

The attention to detail and quality throughout this piece is second to none.

Condition:

In excellent condition. 

Dimensions in cm:

Height 28 cm x Width 9 cm x Depth 9 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 11 inches x Width 3 inches x Depth 3 inches

Place Vendôme

is a square in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France, located to the north of the Tuileries Gardens and east of the Église de la Madeleine. It is the starting point of the Rue de la Paix. Its regular architecture by Jules Hardouin-Mansart and pedimented screens canted across the corners give the rectangular Place Vendôme the aspect of an octagon.

The original Vendôme Column at the centre of the square was erected by Napoleon I to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz; it was torn down on 16 May 1871, by decree of the Paris Commune, but subsequently re-erected and remains a prominent feature on the square today.

 

Lost Wax Method

sometimes called by the French name of cire perdue or the Latin, cera perduta is the process by which a bronze or brass is cast from an artists sculpture.

In industrial uses, the modern process is called investment casting. An ancient practice, the process today varies from foundry to foundry, but the steps which are usually used in casting small bronze sculptures in a modern bronze foundry are generally quite standardised.

Our reference: A4486