Webberley Antiques has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
At one time the original statue was owned by Napoleon but now resides at the Louvre in Paris.
The figure is of a young woman in drapery with the weight of her body resting on her right leg supported by a tree stump, the left leg free and thrown back with the heel slightly raised as she walks. This is the virgin goddess of hunting and the wild known as Diana and as Artemis. She wears the typical clothing of a goddess, large sleeved chiton bound by two belts and she is shown here pinning her cloak on, her flowing hair pulled back by a band tied above her neck and gathered in a bun. It was a practice for young girls to offer garments to Artemis for consecration and here she is putting one of the gifted cloaks on.
This beautiful gilt bronze is a reduction cast by The Barbedienne foundry which was set up in 1838 by Ferdinand Barbedienne and Achille Collas ('Reduction Mechanique A Collas Brevete'). Their work intricately and faithfully produced bronze figures of renowned statues and the foundry produced the finest bronzes and collaborated closely with many famous artists of the day. The bronze bears both the foundry stamp, the names of Bardienne and Collas. The pure gold is overlaid on the bronze here to stunning effect.
A really beautiful, superb quality and large mid-19th century French Barbedienne gilt bronze in truly excellent original condition and dating from c. 1860.
Dimensions with base:
4 inches wide, 3.5 inches deep and 13.5 inches high.
For metric please multiply by 2.5
Webberley Antiques has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Specialists in 18th century and earlier furniture for more than 45 years
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Webberley Antiques Profile Page
Barbedienne Collas Foundary French Gilt Bronze of Diana of Gabii C. 1860
