A Fine Pair of 19th Century Bronze ‘Animalier’ Plaques Attributed to Antoine Louis Barye

 

Both bas-relief plaques having an old untouched surface exhibiting a fine patina with a lustrous pinkish hue, indicating the use of a bronze alloy with a higher ratio of copper that is sometimes referred to as ‘Barye Bronze’.

One plaque measures, 4” h x 5.5” w x 1/4” d, the other measures, 3.7/8” h x 5.5” w x 1/4” d.

Both plaques remain in extremely good overall condition, the reverse exhibit an old, gilded surface with two shallow screw holes from having been previously mounted to wooden backings which have been retained. Both bearing impressed signatures E. A. Barye lower right corner.

Note: The letters E.A. in front of the Barye signature are the abbreviation for ‘epreuve d’artiste’, which is the French term for Artist Proof, indicating that these castings are quite likely artists proofs vs. edition bronzes, thereby making them quite unique, if not rare in the marketplace.

 

The following paragraph addresses the bronze alloy used in the casting of these plaques, as mentioned on page 39 of ‘The Barye Bronzes – A Catalogue Raisonne’ by Stuart Pivar….

 

“In order to achieve the surface he wanted, Barye made use of a special alloy of bronze and insisted that it be used by foundries who produced castings which were subsequently to be finished at his own atelier. This metal was simply 90% copper and 10% tin. This alloy, which at the time was called ‘Barye’s Bronze’ by the founders, is soft and reddish. The better castings of Barye’s work often are of this material, which can be readily recognized by the dull leaden sound produced if the casting is tapped lightly”.

 

ANTOINE LOUIS BARYE (1796-1875) is perhaps the most celebrated and acclaimed French artist of the ‘Animaliers School’. He was the recipient of several royal & state commissions, as well as having enjoyed the patronage of a great many noble French families. In 1848 he was appointed Director of Casts & Models at the Louvre, and in 1858 he was made Professor of Drawings at the Museum of Natural History at the Jardin de Plantes. He was awarded the Grand Medal at the 1867 Exposition Universelle in Paris and became the 1st President of the Central Union of Beaux Arts, as well as being made a member of the Institute of France.

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