19th Century French Gilt Bronze Cow and Calf Sculpture Signed Isidore Bonheur

$3,900

About

This antique cow sculpture composition was created in France, circa 1895. Set on an oval base, the bronze sculpture features a standing cow looking at its baby calf suckling milk. The piece is signed on the base I. Bonheur. The 19th bronze was given to Mr. Pierre Bais as a gift, and bears a plaque on the front which reads; ” Concours General Agricole 1930, Animeaux Reproducteurs, Prix d’Ensemble, Race Bazadaise”. The sculpture composition is in excellent condition, and adorns a rich patinated bronze dore finish. Listed in the Benezit (see last picture). Isidore Jules Bonheur (1827-1901), was an important 19th Century French animalier sculptor. Born in Bordeaux, France in 1827, he was the brother of Rosa Bonheur, and brother-in-law to Hippolyte Peyrol the founder; a well known family of painters, sculptors and artists. Isidore studied painting under the tutelage of his father at a very early age. He moved on to sculpture in 1848 with his first Salon entry of a plaster study of An African Horseman attacked by a lion. Isidore Bonheur continued exhibiting his sculpture throughout the years, both at the Salon in Paris as well as the Royal Academy in London. He won medals at the Salon in 1865 and 1869, and won the Gold Medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889. Bonheur was awarded the “Legion of Honneur” in 1895. He died in Paris in 1901. Bonheur’s bronzes range from domestic cattle and sheep, which he excelled at, to wild bears and lions as well as equestrian and hunting groups, all done in a very natural and realistic manner. His “Le Grand Jockey” is one of his finest models and is one of the icons of Animalier sculpture. Many of his bronzes were done as compliments to his sisters’ works. These sheep and cattle models by brother and sister were done as pairs. Almost all of his and his sisters’ casts were produced by Hippolyte Peyrol whose extremely small (less than 1/6″) foundry mark if often very difficult to locate. Measures: 14.25″ W x 6.25″ D x 9.5″ H.

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