Monumental French 19th Century Cast-Iron Bust of 'Head of Antinous as Dionysus'

A very fine pair of French 19th-20th century neoclassical style patinated cast iron figural torchères by A. Durenne, Paris, each representing a figure of a standing young maiden, her arms raised forward while holding a a flaming urn gas light (Now electrified) with a frosted glass flame, each raised on a veined grey marble column stand, both cast-signed 'A. Durenne, Paris'. Antoine Durenne was an internationally renowned French art founder. He attended École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in 1842. Durenne purchased a small foundry in Sommevoire, near the Val d'Osne, Haute-Marne, France and established The Durenne firm, circa Paris, 1900. Cast-iron had been in production during the 18th century but its inferior status to the more fashionable and delicate wrought iron had generally confined its use to architectural work. By the early 19th century, however, rapid developments of the Industrial Revolution combined with the simultaneous burgeoning of a new middle class provided the impetus for a dramatic Expansion in its application and in a short space of time a proliferation of iron foundries across Europe and America thrived on the production of everything from inkstands to railway stations. The use of cast-iron for garden ornament became particularly widespread at this time, as the possibilities for its mass-production at a fraction of the cost of bronze made it the material of choice for outdoor statuary...

A Fine and Large French 19th Century Cast-Iron Fountain Figure Modeled as a Nude Maiden Seated on a Rocky Outcrop Holding a Cornucopia in Her Raised Right Hand, by J.J Ducel. Cast-Signed "J.J. DUCEL Me de FORGES, PARIS". Circa: Paris, 1880. A retailer of fine cast-iron ornaments, J. J. Ducel was recorded as supplying cast-iron works through Paris as early as 1810 in the Pas-de-Calais. The factory was sold in 1878 to the Fonderie de la Haute-Marne and all of the firm's models were subsequently bought by the Val d'Osne foundry. However, prior to the firm's sale, critics at the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle proclaimed that "Ducel is the great manufacturer of works in cast-iron, to whom Paris is so largely indebted for the grace and elegance that supply so many of the adornments of its streets". Ducel, Val d'Osne and other associated foundries produced both bronze and cast-iron statuary. Cast-iron is corrosive, whereas non-ferrous bronze does not suffer the same detrimental effects of weathering and is therefore a superior and more expensive material. Height: 51 1/2 inches (130.8 cm) Width: 22 inches (55.9 cm) Depth: 30 inches (76.2 cm) The foundry of Val d'Osne became highly regarded for the varied nature and quality of its castings in the second half of the 19th century. Commonly known after 1870 as simply Val D'Osne, the company was originally founded by J.P.V. André in Val d'Osne 1835 and developed rapidly, absorbing smaller foundries in the Haute-Marne area east of Paris. The foundry contributed to the London International Exhibition of 1851, where a bronze fountain cast with classical figures attracted much attention. André also specialised in fancy castings and architectural fittings. His Paris adress was at 14 Rue Neuve, Menilmontant. In 1855 the Barbezat & Cie Foundry was born out of the André workshop. In 1867 Barbezat & Cie changed its name to Houille & Cie. Then, in 1870, it changed its name to Société Anonyme du Val d'Osne. With the change of name came the change of casting mark and adress: Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne, 58 Bd Voltaire, Paris or simply Val d'Osne. Cast-iron had been in production during the 18th century but its inferior status to the more fashionable and delicate wrought-iron had generally confined its use to architectural work. By the early 19th century, however, rapid developments of the Industrial Revolution combined with the simultaneous burgeoning of a new middle class provided the impetus for a dramatic expansion in its application and in a short space of time a proliferation of iron foundries across Europe and America thrived on the production of everything from inkstands to railway stations. The use of cast-iron for garden ornament became particularly widespread at this time, as the possibilities for its mass-production at a fraction of the cost of bronze made it the material of choice for indoor/outdoor statuary...

A very fine and mpressive life-size Italian, early 20th century marble bust of a Greco Roman Warrior, probably Hercules, after the antique. The large beautifully carved and decorated...

A very fine and palatial French 19th-20th century allegorical figural cast-iron group torchere - sculpture - fountain - representing spring and the harvest, probably cast by Le Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne. The charming four-putti sculpture with a front standing putto holding a pole amongst wheat stalks, another putto kneeling and collecting wheat, a third one wearing a hat and picking flowers for a wreath and the fourth kneeling putto holding a bird's nest, all below an elongated classical stem with a glass globe (Electrified), circa: Paris, 1900. Overall height: 84 inches (213.4 cm). Width: 29 1/2 inches (74.9 cm). Circular base diameter: 24 inches (61 inches). Cast-iron had been in production during the 18th century but its inferior status to the more fashionable and delicate wrought-iron had generally confined its use to architectural work. By the early 19th century, however, rapid developments of the Industrial Revolution combined with the simultaneous burgeoning of a new middle class provided the impetus for a dramatic expansion in its application and in a short space of time a proliferation of iron foundries across Europe and America thrived on the production of everything from inkstands to railway stations. The use of cast-iron for garden ornament became particularly widespread at this time, as the possibilities for its mass-production at a fraction of the cost of bronze made it the material of choice for outdoor statuary...

A superb quality and palatial pair of French 19th century lifesize cast-iron sculptures - torcheres of Native American Indians titled "L’ Indienne" designed by Jules Salmson (French, 1823-1902) and Cast by Le Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne, each standing figure representing a Native American Indian male and a female scantily dressed in their native robes, one arm raised holding a light-torch with an opaline glass globe, both wearing earrings, seashell necklaces and arm-braces, raised on cylindrical cast-iron stand. Signed/cast on each pedestal: “VAL D’OSNE”. (Electrified). Paris, circa 1870-1880. Overall hHeight: 127 inches (322.6 cm) Pedestal height: 39 inches (99.1 cm) Indian man's width: 22 inches (55.9 cm) Indian man's depth: 26 3/4 inches (68 cm) Indian woman's width: 28 inches (71.1 cm) Indian woman's depth: 25 inches (63.5 cm) These fantastic and impressive pair of cast-iron sculptures, most likely representing Hiawatha and Minnehaha, were probably comissioned to Le Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne for export to the America's to decorate governmental buildings and parks which makes these pair a rare find and now available for a private collection. Iron sculptures were preferred over bronze for outdoor park and building decorations for their long lasting resistance to all types of weather conditions. An identical pair of sculptures, also by Val d' Osne, are currently exhibited at the National Garden of Congress in Santiago, Chile. View Pages No. 87, 88, 89. Another identical pair are also currently exhibited at The Musée de la Ville - Indian Museum "O Indio do Museo da Cidade" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Another identical pair decorate the front of the Ópera Teatro Amazonas, Manaús, Brazil. A single figure of the female Indian...

A fine French 19th-20th century Art Nouveau polychromed terracotta bust of "Crépuscule" (Twilight) After Henri Jacobs (Belgian, 1864-1935) version of Crépuscule, depicting a young ma...

19th century statuary marble bust of the Braschi Antinous as Dionysus, Signed Puge 19th century statuary marble bust of Antinous as Dionysus, Sig...

French 19th century plaster bust of a male head. Excellent condition.

A handsome French late 19th century wall mounted statue of a cast iron horse's head. The statue displays an oblong back plate and lovely intricate ...

Behold the stately elegance of this 19th Century French Cast Iron Sculpture, a stunning representation of classic beauty and enduring craftsmanship. The sculpture, with its weathered...

This evocative 19th Century French Cast Iron Sculpture captures the profound emotion and exquisite detail synonymous with the era's artistry. The figure, robed in beautifully sculpte...

This 19th Century French Cast Iron Sculpture exudes the spirit of the Romantic era with its evocative depiction of a pensive figure. The artistry of the sculpture is evident in the e...