RAOUL FRANÇOIS LARCHE | Les Violettes

gilt bronze, on a veined green onyx base signed: RAOUL LARCHE, stamped: SIOT PARIS and numbered: 8564François-Raoul Larche (1860-1912) attended the École Nationale des Beaux Arts in Paris, where he studied under Jouffroy, Delaplanche, Falguière and Gérôme. He made his salon debut in 1884 and exhibited there until his death. He received several public commissions, was awarded a gold medal at the 1900 Exposition Universelle and a Medal of Honour in 1910. Amongst Larche's most recognized works are his series of swirling sculptures of the inspirational American dancer Loïe Fuller, which have come to symbolise the Art Nouveau style, offered for sale as lamps at his gold medal-winning stand at the 1900 Paris Exposition. These, as with almost of all of Larche's bronzes - including sculptures, desk accessories, vide-poche, lamps and vases - were cast and edited by the Parisian foundry Siot-Decauville. Les Violettes is one of Larche's works commissioned by the French government in marble. He first exhibited the completed Carrara marble group at the Paris Salon of 1899 and the following year at the Exposition Universelle. With its swirling shapes, the group is similar in style to the Loïe Fuller lamps, and epitomises Larche's interest in the fluid forms of Art Nouveau.

Overall, the condition of the bronze is very good. There is minor greening to the patina in areas, in particular to the crevices. There is some dark spotting to the patina, in particular to the girl's chest, to the mother's arms and to the back of the bronze. The bronze is cast in sections and a joint is slightly visible to the mother's proper left upper arm. The condition of the onyx base is good. There are a few minor chips and abrasions to the edges, in particular to the top edge. There is a small square leather patch glued to the base at 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.