PAUL EUGÈNE BRETON | Figural Centrepiece

bronze, gilt patina, and grey marble signed: BRETONPaul Eugène Breton was a student of Jean Falguière, Félix Charpentier and Laurent Marqueste, all prominent sculptors of the 19th century Paris Salon. Breton received an honourable mention in 1896 and a medal in 1899. He was mostly known as a sculptor of mythological subjects. The present lot shows his affinity with Romantic subjects and is highly decorative, combining fluid motions and contrasting materials. 

Sotheby's New York, 6 and 7 December 1996, lot 205

Overall the condition of the bronze and marble is very good, with minor dirt and wear to the surfaces consistent with age. There are joints to the outward pointing arms of both figures at the upper arms. The bronze is slightly loose on the marble centrepiece, but stable. There are minor scratches to the bronze, including to the legs of both figures. There are minor chips and abrasions to the marble, including to the edges and at the joints where the bronze meets the marble. There are a few naturally occurring inclusions to the marble. There is minor veining to the marble, consistent with the material. There is a small area of greening to the back. Please note, Condition 11 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.