- 98
French, 18th century
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Elephant
- bronze, dark brown patina, on wood base with gilt mounts
Condition
Overall the condition of the bronze is very good with some minor wear to the patina consistent with age. There is a large rectangular original casting plug to the top of the elephants back, with a few small circular plugs at the edges of the rectangle. There are some original minor casting flaws, in the form of very small holes, to the back. The condition of the base is good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
This fine bronze elephant bears testament to the 18th-century taste for exoticism. The present model is the same as that supporting an elaborate mid 18th-century bronze and ormolu clock signed by the Parisian clock maker Bailly L'Ainé, which was sold at Christie's Amsterdam on 19th December 2007, lot 472. Another Parisian clock supporting an elephant, created by Philippe Caffieri in the 1760's, is housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. 1008:1-1882).
Interest in elephants heightened following the King of Siam's gift of a menagerie to Louis XIV in 1686 and continued well into the eighteenth century. The present beast, with its stylised, cropped ears is nonetheless reminiscent of earlier bronze models, such the Italian 16th century cast of an elephant in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (inv. no. Pl. 5721).
RELATED LITERATURE
M. Leithe-Jasper, Renaissance Master Bronzes from the Collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, exh. cat. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, 1986, pp. 236-7, no. 62
Interest in elephants heightened following the King of Siam's gift of a menagerie to Louis XIV in 1686 and continued well into the eighteenth century. The present beast, with its stylised, cropped ears is nonetheless reminiscent of earlier bronze models, such the Italian 16th century cast of an elephant in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (inv. no. Pl. 5721).
RELATED LITERATURE
M. Leithe-Jasper, Renaissance Master Bronzes from the Collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, exh. cat. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, 1986, pp. 236-7, no. 62