Christophe Fratin French, 1800-1864

In contrast to the more serious decorative oeuvre of Barye, Fratin's decorative objects are given a humourous treatment. In the present model the small monkeys seated on the rumps of noble lions are a facetious motif. The whole trunk of the palm tree is writhing with the figures of monkeys. Birds seated on the palm leaves with wings outstretched hold out garlands which form the cups for candles. As Poletti & Richarme have written, Fratin's imagination is most fertile and original in the rich and dense compositions of the decorative objects. Certain motifs are repeated in the decorative bronzes, such as the lions forming the tripod base with their tails intertwined around the shaft. A pair of candlesticks illustrated by Poletti & Richarme uses the same motif, but with panthers (No. 15).

Artists' decorative bronze objects were produced in small numbers as they were not particularly profitable for the founders. The casting and chasing of these fine decorative objects was much more time consuming and costly than the work on those objects produced by designers for the large foundries. Moreover artists such as Barye and Fratin had only a 'fine art' market of patrons who rather prefered to buy 'noble' subjects in sculpture. The result is that these fine, and often rather delicate works are rare. Produced at the special wish of the sculptor rather than for any great profit, the decorative objects form an important and personal part of Fratin's oeuvre. 

RELATED LITERATURE
Poletti & Richarme, Fratin (2000), pp.18-23; Bougon, 1983