Christopher Fratin

Very sensitive rendering of a greyhound at rest with a rich dark brown patina with lighter highlights showing through. The dog is shown reclining with one paw turned up, a detail I find endearing as a dog owner, my border collie does this too! Mounted on a polished black slate base, marked Fratin on the base. Also stamped with the foundry mark 'Daubree, Editeur'. A fine desk top, shelf, or mantel piece for the dog lover, Christopher Fratin (1 January 1801 – 16 August 1864), also known as Christophe Fratin, was a noted French sculptor in the animalier style, and one of the earliest French sculptors to portray animals in bronze. Fratin was born in Metz, Moselle, France the son of a taxidermist. He first studied drawing under Pioche in Metz and later worked in Paris at the studio of Théodore Géricault. He exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1831 to 1842 and 1850–1862, as well as at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Fratin never signed his bronzes but instead used a stamp showing his last name in straight block letters. Fratin received monumental commissions in France and elsewhere, including the Deux Aigles Gardant Leur Proie (Eagles and Prey, created 1850) displayed since 1863 in New York City’s Central Park. Today, Fratin’s sculpture is on permanent display in the Louvre, the city museums of Metz, Lyon, Strasbourg, Nîmes and at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. The Georg Eisler...

Mouflon resting bronze with medal patina by Christophe Fratin (1801-1864). XIXth century signed on the terrace. Dedication on the back of the Fleur Quesnel terrace. Dimension 17.5 cm...

A very fine Animalier bronze study of a feeding gazelle with her fawn reclining at her feet. The bronze with rich brown patina and excellent detail raised on a naturalistic base, signed Fratin and engraved with title to the fore ‘Gazelle’ Additional information Height: 10 cm Width: 17 cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition Circa: 1860 Materials: Bronze Book reference: Bronzes of the 19th Century by Pierre Kjellberg SKU: 4934 ABOUT Christopher Fratin (1 January 1801 – 16 August 1864), also known as Christophe Fratin, was a noted French sculptor in the animalier style, and one of the earliest French sculptors to portray animals in bronze. Fratin was born in Metz, Moselle, France the son of a taxidermist. He first studied drawing under Pioche in Metz and later worked in Paris at the studio of Théodore Géricault. Work He exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1831–1842 and 1850–1862, as well as at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Fratin never signed his bronzes but instead used a stamp showing his last name in straight block letters. One of the stamps he used (pictured) showed the "n" reversed, not by design but due to an error on the part of the maker of the stamp. Bronzes bearing this stamp have the appearance of not seeming to be genuine when in reality they are. Fratin received monumental commissions in France and elsewhere, including the Deux Aigles Gardant Leur Proie (Eagles and Prey, created 1850) displayed since 1863 in New York City's Central Park. Many of his small bronzes—including his miniature bronzes which were more affordable due to their smaller size—were sold commercially to the general public during his lifetime. Today, Fratin's sculpture is on permanent display in the Louvre, the city museums of Metz, Lyon, Strasbourg, Nîmes and at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. The Georg Eisler...

Lion animal bronze patina 19th century medallion signed Fratin on the terrace dimension 53 cm long 31 cm high 15 cm deep Additional information: Materi...

Late 19th century animal bronze signed Fratin representing a wild animal having captured a young deer. Bronze mounted on wooden terrace Dimension height 29 cm for a length of 45 cm a...

Exquisite mid 19th century French bronze study of an anthropomorphic bear sitting on a barrel playing a violin, the barrel can be opened halfway to form a container. The surface with excellent mid to dark brown patina and very fine hand chased surface detail, signed Fratin and titled Le Père Odry Additional Information Height: 17.8 cm Width: 8.6 cm Depth: 7.2 cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition Circa: 1845 Materials: Bronze Book reference: Bronzes of the 19th Century by Pierre Kjellberg About Le Père Odry Le Père Odry is a character in one of Balzac's novels, Unconscious Comedians which is one of the lesser known novels in the series La Comédie Humaine. The novel tells the story of a famous painter who takes his provincial cousin on a trip of Paris to open his eyes to what really goes on in the city behind the respectable façade. Le Père Odry appears in the novel as a dissolute actor. Christopher Fratin, French 1801 ~ 1864 also known as Christophe Fratin, was a noted French sculptor in the animalier style, and one of the earliest French sculptors to portray animals in bronze. Fratin was born in Metz, Moselle, France the son of a taxidermist. He first studied drawing under Pioche in Metz and later worked in Paris at the studio of Théodore Géricault. He exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1831–1842 and 1850–1862, as well as at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Fratin never signed his bronzes but instead used a stamp showing his last name in straight block letters. One of the stamps he used (pictured) showed the "n" reversed, not by design but due to an error on the part of the maker of the stamp. Bronzes bearing this stamp have the appearance of not seeming to be genuine when in reality this foible is actually an indicator of authenticity. Fratin received monumental commissions in France and elsewhere, including the Deux Aigles Gardant Leur Proie (Eagles and Prey, created 1850) displayed since 1863 in New York City's Central Park. Many of his small bronzes—including his miniature bronzes which were more affordable due to their smaller size—were sold commercially to the general public during his lifetime. Today, Fratin's sculpture is on permanent display in the Louvre, the city museums of Metz, Lyon, Strasbourg, Nîmes and at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. The Georg Eisler...

Christophe Fratin (1801-1864) "walking monkey" bronze, signed, signature of the founder Qyesnel XIXth edition.

19th century lion bronze animal patina medal signed Fratin on the terrace.