Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

19th Century Italian Two-Tone Spelter Bust of Napoleon Signed Colombo Dated 1885

About the Item

Decorate a man's study or office with this elegant antique bust of Napoleon. Crafted in Italy and standing on a circular grey marble base, the sculpture depicts the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte bearing a stern and determined expression, wearing his familiar military garb and distinguishing Bicorne hat. The artwork is signed by the artist Colombo and dated 1885, and is dressed with an engraved titled plaque on the front reading, "Napoleon bust by Colombo". The bust is in excellent condition and adorns a rich two-tone bronze patinated finish. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), also known as Napoleon I, was a French military leader and emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. Born on the island of Corsica, Napoleon rapidly rose through the ranks of the military during the French Revolution (1789-1799). After seizing political power in France in a 1799 coup d’état, he crowned himself emperor in 1804. Shrewd, ambitious and a skilled military strategist, Napoleon successfully waged war against various coalitions of European nations and expanded his empire. However, after a disastrous French invasion of Russia in 1812, Napoleon abdicated the throne two years later and was exiled to the island of Elba. In 1815, he briefly returned to power in his Hundred Days campaign. After a crushing defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, he abdicated once again and was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he died at the age of 51. Renzo Colombo (Italian 1856-1885) was born near Milan, he studied at the Brera Academy of Fine Art. After a period working in Rome, he returned to his home town of Gallarate where he executed busts, medals and monuments, his favorite themes were historical figures. In 1875 he exhibited in Milan a bust of Francesco Ferrucci. In 1877 he moved to Florence where he was a pupil of Giovanni Dupre, and realizes the sketch of a religious theme group, Il Ritorno da Golgotha, for the tomb of the family to the cemetery Martegani Gallarate, producing his Tasso Morente in 1878, partially inspired by the Napoleon by Vicenza Vela. Having worked in Genoa and Marsiglia, he was appointed artistic director of the Musee Grevin in Paris in 1884 and began exhibiting at the Salon. His bust of Napoleon was presented there in 1885. He died the following year at Fougeres. He is buried in the Cemetery of Batignolles, Paris. Measures: 14.5"W x 11"D x 24.5"H
  • Attributed to:
    Renzo Colombo (Sculptor)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)Width: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1885
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Dallas, TX
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 242-2001stDibs: LU951239014252

More From This Seller

View All
19th Century Italian Marble Base Spelter of Napoleon on Horse Signed R. Nannini
By Raphaël Nannini
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's study or office with this elegant antique figure of Napoleon on his horse. Crafted in Italy circa 1890 and standing on a heavy rectangular base, the sculpture depict...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Busts

Materials

Marble, Spelter

19th Century French Carved Two-Tone White Marble Bust of Young Beauty
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1890, this antique marble bust is a true representation of French elegance. The figural sculpture stands on an attached white and grey square base, and features a beautiful, young girl in a lace dress with delicately posed hands resting on her chin. There are a number of intricate, realistic details throughout her face, hair and clothing. The large, personalized female bust is excellent condition, and adorns a rich patinated finish. Place this elegant bust on a pedestal...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Busts

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Patinated Spelter Sculpture of Young Woman Signed A. Moreau
By Auguste Moreau
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant figure composition was crafted in France circa 1880. Built of spelter, the statue stands on a shaped black and grey marble base, and depicts a young female beauty seated...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Spelter Clock and Cow Composition Signed E. Picault
By Émile Louis Picault
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office with this large, patinated white metal sculpture with clock titled "La Moisson" (the harvest). Crafted in France, the antique composition stands on a red marble ba...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Animal Sculptures

Materials

Spelter

Pair of 19th Century French Terracotta Busts of Children Signed E. Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office shelf with this cheerful pair of antique terracotta children busts. Crafted in Paris, France circa 1880, each subject features a child face sculpture standing on a black painted socle base. Each figure has wonderful facial expressions and nice details. Both artworks are signed on the back E. Guillemin with marks reading "Quai Jemmapes 6". The busts are in excellent condition with the original terracotta patinated finish. Émile Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin (1841-1907) was a French sculptor of the Belle Époque. He worked mainly in bronze and also made artwork subjects in terracotta. He studied under his father, the painter Auguste Guillemin, and under Jean-Jules Salmson. He showed work at the Salon of Paris from 1870-1899, and in 1897 received an honorable mention there. His sculptures incorporated themes inspired by the French revolution, Mediterranean mythology, and orientalist aesthetics. His oeuvre is reminiscent of other mid-18th century European bronze sculptors, including Jef Lambeaux, Marcel...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Busts

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century French Patinated Spelter Statue of Cardinal Mazarin
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or office with this elegant antique statue. Crafted in France circa 1870 and built of metal, the figure depicts the cardinal Mazarin ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Spelter

You May Also Like

Italian 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Bust of Napoleon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and wonderfully executed Italian 19th century neo-classical st. white Carrara marble and a faux painted marble bust of Napoleon. The bust is raised by an exceptional and m...
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Carrara Marble

Bronze Bust of Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze bust of Napoleon III, 19th century. Sculpture representing a 19th century Bust of Napoleon III, Napoleon III Period. Dimensions: H: 22cm, W: 11cm, D: 9cm.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Busts

Materials

Bronze

Large Pair of Signed 19th Century Relief Portrait Busts of Wellington & Napoleon
By Nathaniel Palmer
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome and impressive pair of relief portrait busts in copper depicting portrait busts of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) on the left, and Napoleon Bona...
Category

Antique 1830s English William IV Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Copper

Cast Bronze Woman Bust "Bohême Orientale" Signed R. Colombo, Paris, 1884
By Renzo Colombo
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Cast bronze woman bust "Bohême Orientale" signed R. Colombo, Paris, 1884. (Renzo Colombo 1856-1885). Bronze plaque at front "Bohême Orientale par Colombo".
Category

Antique 1880s French Art Nouveau Busts

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Terracotta Bust of a Young Girl Signed J. Valette and Dated 1866
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique sculpture by the French artist Jean Valette. The statue depicts a young girl, with a beautiful modest look and a Christian cross on a chain around her neck. The sta...
Category

Antique 1860s French Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Pair of Italian Marble Busts Depicting Two Children
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century pair of Italian marble busts depicting two children held on square Violet Jura Brocatelle marble pedestals with white and black marble detail.
Category

Antique 19th Century Busts

Materials

Marble

Recently Viewed

View All