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LVS Decorative Arts

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Id #SA776253

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Late 19thc Fine Quality French Bronze Sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier

19th century

Sold by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

A late 19th century fine quality French bronze sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier (1814-1894).

This bronze, of Neoclassical style, depicts Penelope sleeping, seated on a klismos chair wearing Roman style draped chiton with a spindle in her hand supported on an oval base signed ‘J Cavelier’ with ‘Collas’ reduction stamp.

The subject of Penelope is from ‘Homer’s Odyssey’ and tells how her husband, Odyssey, the king of Ithaca, is away for more than twenty years at the Trojan War, she remains faithful to her husband despite many suitors asking for her hand. Penelope insists they should wait until she has woven a shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes, for three years every night she unravels the weaving she has completed during the day to prolong the decision, eventually Odyssey returns and finds that she has remained faithful to him, hence her name is associated with fidelity.

The original marble sculpture was displayed at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1848 and was highly celebrated by the Académie de France jury in Rome.

Later in the 1849 Salon it was awarded a first class medal and medal of honour receiving many acolades, particularly remarkable was the sculpting of the cloths which combine both naturalism and reference to Greek and Roman sculpture, the original sculpture can now be found in the Musée d’Orsay.

Pierre Jules Cavelier (1814-1894) was a French sculptor born in Paris, he was awarded the Prix de Rome is 1842 and lived at the Villa Medici between 1843-1847 and on his return to France he was awarded various commissions from the Louvre, City Hall , the Opera, Notre Dame etc.

Cavalier took inspiration from antique statuary and the sculpture of Penelope was based on a statue at the Capitilone Museum in Rome.

This sculpture appeared in the Ferdinand Barbedienne catalogue for 1886, five sizes of this model were produced after the original.

Although a foundry stamp for Barbedienne is not evident on this bronze, it was certainly produced by a very good foundry and also having the ‘Collas’ reduction stamp indicates it was produced by Barbedienne.

The Barbedienne foundry was set up in 1838 by Ferdinand Barbedienne and Achille Collas, Collas invented a machine to create smaller bronze figures from statues of Greek & Roman origin in particular. The foundry produced many fine pieces over the years and worked closely with many artists, two of the most famous being Barye and Rodin.

This bronze is in excellent condition for age and can go straight into a home.

Physical Dimensions

Height

25cm (9.84")

Width

20cm (7.87")

Depth

12.5cm (4.92")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this piece to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA776253

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS1233

Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description

A late 19th century fine quality French bronze sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier (1814-1894).

This bronze, of Neoclassical style, depicts Penelope sleeping, seated on a klismos chair wearing Roman style draped chiton with a spindle in her hand supported on an oval base signed ‘J Cavelier’ with ‘Collas’ reduction stamp.

fig 1. Late 19thc fine quality French bronze sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier — fig 1. Late 19thc Fine Quality French Bronze Sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier

The subject of Penelope is from ‘Homer’s Odyssey’ and tells how her husband, Odyssey, the king of Ithaca, is away for more than twenty years at the Trojan War, she remains faithful to her husband despite many suitors asking for her hand. Penelope insists they should wait until she has woven a shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes, for three years every night she unravels the weaving she has completed during the day to prolong the decision, eventually Odyssey returns and finds that she has remained faithful to him, hence her name is associated with fidelity.

“

The original marble sculpture was displayed at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1848 and was highly celebrated by the Académie de France jury in Rome.

LVS Decorative Arts

fig 2. Late 19thc fine quality French bronze sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier — fig 2. Late 19thc Fine Quality French Bronze Sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier

Later in the 1849 Salon it was awarded a first class medal and medal of honour receiving many acolades, particularly remarkable was the sculpting of the cloths which combine both naturalism and reference to Greek and Roman sculpture, the original sculpture can now be found in the Musée d’Orsay.

fig 3. Late 19thc fine quality French bronze sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier — fig 3. Late 19thc Fine Quality French Bronze Sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier

Pierre Jules Cavelier (1814-1894) was a French sculptor born in Paris, he was awarded the Prix de Rome is 1842 and lived at the Villa Medici between 1843-1847 and on his return to France he was awarded various commissions from the Louvre, City Hall , the Opera, Notre Dame etc.

fig 4. Late 19thc fine quality French bronze sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier — fig 4. Late 19thc Fine Quality French Bronze Sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier

Cavalier took inspiration from antique statuary and the sculpture of Penelope was based on a statue at the Capitilone Museum in Rome.

This sculpture appeared in the Ferdinand Barbedienne catalogue for 1886, five sizes of this model were produced after the original.

fig 5. Late 19thc fine quality French bronze sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier — fig 5. Late 19thc Fine Quality French Bronze Sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier

Although a foundry stamp for Barbedienne is not evident on this bronze, it was certainly produced by a very good foundry and also having the ‘Collas’ reduction stamp indicates it was produced by Barbedienne.

fig 6. Late 19thc fine quality French bronze sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier — fig 6. Late 19thc Fine Quality French Bronze Sculpture of ‘Penelope’ by Pierre Jules Cavelier

The Barbedienne foundry was set up in 1838 by Ferdinand Barbedienne and Achille Collas, Collas invented a machine to create smaller bronze figures from statues of Greek & Roman origin in particular. The foundry produced many fine pieces over the years and worked closely with many artists, two of the most famous being Barye and Rodin.

This bronze is in excellent condition for age and can go straight into a home.