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ID #SA424583
FOR SALE
£2,200
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C19th French Bronze 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Study of Sophocles by F.barbedienne Foundry ,Paris.
M Lees and Sons
for sale €2,574     $2,794
£2,200
M Lees and Sons

M Lees and Sons

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2013
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218
  • Trade Associations
    M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA424583
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C19th French Bronze 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Study of Sophocles by F.barbedienne Foundry ,Paris.

19th century
For Sale by M Lees and Sons
Description

C19th French bronze 'Grand Tour' souvenir study of Sophocles by F. Barbedienne Foundry, Paris.

Superbly cast , large-scale study of the ancient Roman version of the Greek tragedian poet and playwright Sophocles ,having an exceptional patina.

Cast and inscribed by the Ferdinand Barbedienne Foundry of Paris ,and also bearing the stamped seal mark of the patented 'Achille Collas' reduction method ("Reduction Mechanique") which allowed and introduced the facility to produce reductions of large-scaled statuary from both museums and private collections , to be produced and made available to the wider market .

This study known as the “Lateran Sophocles” is a reduction copy of the ancient Roman marble version based upon a Greek bronze original from antiquity (330-340 BC) exhibited in the Lateran Museum ,Rome (Museo Lateranense) founded by the Popes and housed in the Lateran Palace. The Roman statue was excavated in the Theatre of Dionysus and Athena at Terracina in 1839.

The tragic poet and playwright is depicted in classic contrapposto pose ,mounted on an integral rectangular plinth, wearing and gripping his folded cloak. The subjects feet shod in thonged sandals , with a circular basket full of rolled manuscripts at his feet, whilst the fillet in his hair indicates Sophocles' priestly office.

Excellent condition, with superb 'antique' patina showing hints of green and brown throughout.

Would make a bold statement in a library ,study or in a 'Grand Tour' collection , possessing both gravitas and sculptural elegance.

H 25"

W 9"

D 6.5"

France, Paris c.1860

Physical Dimensions
Height
64cm (25.20")
Width
23cm (9.06")
Depth
17cm (6.69")
Declaration

M Lees and Sons has dated this French Bronze Sophocles Statue to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA424583
Dealers Internal Reference
ML 169
Dealers Notes

Established in the Cathedral City of Worcester for over 40 years ,M.Lees&Sons , run by Michael Lees ,have been dealing with public and trade from show-rooms in an early Georgian town-house. We aim to provide a straight-forward approach to our business and build lasting relationships with our customers. As members of the 'London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association' , we provide full descriptive details , date ,authenticity and any available provenance ,with full disclosure of any restoration or repair which may have taken place .

Whether buying for pleasure , decoration or investment, we welcome you to our web-site or premises .

Past projects have included advising clients on forming and disposing of collections , furnishing period properties , hotel and commercial projects , also a shoot-room and lodge .

All goods are available to view and owned by M.Lees & Sons .

If visiting, a telephone call prior is advisable as due to the demands of the business the show-room does not have regular hours . Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance . Our inventory on the website Selling Antiques .co.uk showcases our range of stock, whilst more items are available to view on our website. Please visit us on:

www.leesantiquesworcester.com.

Tel. 01905 26620 / 07860826218

Located in the centre of Worcester in the shadow of the Cathedral with easy parking nearby. Exit Junction 7 M5 and follow the signs for Worcester Porcelain Museum . Our premises are located 100 metres from the Museum and 50 metres from Pay&Display car-park in nearby King St.

Description
C19th French bronze 'Grand Tour' souvenir study of Sophocles by F. Barbedienne Foundry, Paris.
“
Superbly cast , large-scale study of the ancient Roman version of the Greek tragedian poet and playwright Sophocles ,having an exceptional patina.
M Lees and Sons
fig 1. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base.
fig 1. C19th French Bronze 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Study of Sophocles by F.barbedienne Foundry ,Paris.

Cast and inscribed by the Ferdinand Barbedienne Foundry of Paris ,and also bearing the stamped seal mark of the patented 'Achille Collas' reduction method ("Reduction Mechanique") which allowed and introduced the facility to produce reductions of large-scaled statuary from both museums and private collections , to be produced and made available to the wider market .

fig 2. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base.
fig 2. C19th French Bronze 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Study of Sophocles by F.barbedienne Foundry ,Paris.

This study known as the “Lateran Sophocles” is a reduction copy of the ancient Roman marble version based upon a Greek bronze original from antiquity (330-340 BC) exhibited in the Lateran Museum ,Rome (Museo Lateranense) founded by the Popes and housed in the Lateran Palace. The Roman statue was excavated in the Theatre of Dionysus and Athena at Terracina in 1839.

fig 3. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base.
fig 3. C19th French Bronze 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Study of Sophocles by F.barbedienne Foundry ,Paris.

The tragic poet and playwright is depicted in classic contrapposto pose ,mounted on an integral rectangular plinth, wearing and gripping his folded cloak. The subjects feet shod in thonged sandals , with a circular basket full of rolled manuscripts at his feet, whilst the fillet in his hair indicates Sophocles' priestly office.

fig 4. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base.
fig 4. C19th French Bronze 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Study of Sophocles by F.barbedienne Foundry ,Paris.

Excellent condition, with superb 'antique' patina showing hints of green and brown throughout.

Would make a bold statement in a library ,study or in a 'Grand Tour' collection , possessing both gravitas and sculptural elegance.

H 25"

W 9"

D 6.5"

France, Paris c.1860

Height
64cm (25.20")
Width
23cm (9.06")
Depth
17cm (6.69")
Date of Manufacture

M Lees and Sons has dated this French Bronze Sophocles Statue to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA424583
Dealers Internal Ref
ML 169
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2013

M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the M Lees and Sons Profile Page

Trade Associations

M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base.
1 / 16
Archive I A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base.

C19th French bronze 'Grand Tour' souvenir study of Sophocles by F.Barbedienne Foundry ,Paris.

Archive II A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View II
Archive III A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View III
Archive IV A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View IV
Archive V A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View V
Archive VI A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View VI
Archive VII A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View VII
Archive VIII A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View VIII
Archive IX A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View IX
Archive X A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View X
Archive XI A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View XI
Archive XII A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View XII
Archive XIII A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View XIII
Archive XIV A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View XIV
Archive XV A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View XV
Archive XVI A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base. View XVI
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M Lees and Sons

M Lees and Sons
Telephone 07860 826218 or 01905 26620
Location
Tower House
1 Castle Place
Severn St
Worcester
WR1 2NB
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/mleesandsons
Verified Since Feb 2013
Items For Sale 349
Items Sold 1,589
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Verified Since Feb 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: Tower House, 1 Castle Place, Severn St, Worcester, WR1 2NB, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/mleesandsons
Verified
Feb 2013
For Sale
349
Sold
1,589
A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base.
C19th French bronze 'Grand Tour' souvenir study of Sophocles by F.Barbedienne Foundry ,Paris.
Ref: SA424583
A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze figure depicting the Greek dramatist Sophocles draped in a toga, standing beside a scroll container on a rectangular base.
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FAQs

Grand Tour bronzes were created during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as souvenirs for travellers exploring classical sites across Europe. These figures replicated famous antiquity statues and served as symbols of academic education and cultural refinement.

These sculptures were cast using bronze, a durable copper alloy, predominantly employing lost-wax or sand-casting methods. Foundries applied chemical patination processes to produce dark brown or green protective surface finishes.

Authentic Barbedienne foundry castings typically feature inscribed maker signatures alongside mechanically precise dimensions achieved via the Collas mechanical reduction process. The bronze displays hand-chased surface details, heavy casting weight, and defined structural lines.

Classical bronze figures are placed on mantelpieces, bookshelves, or executive desks to create structured focal points. They pair effectively with dark timber cabinetry, architectural features, and neutral stone surfaces.

Bronze figures require regular light dusting with a dry, soft-bristled brush. Applying a light coat of microcrystalline wax preserves the original patination and protects the metal surface from oxidation and moisture without dampening fine detail.
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