1800s aizelin Original Foundry Statue

Type

Metalware

Age

1850-1899

Original Or Reproduction

Vintage original

The Sculpture This is a 19th-century French bronze sculpture depicting a seated classical female figure, designed in the neoclassical style. The woman is portrayed in contemplative repose, draped in flowing robes with finely detailed folds. She wears a headband across her stylized hair and holds a rolled object (possibly a scroll or drapery), while her feet extend gracefully over the plinth. Behind her seat, two hound heads in relief add symbolic and decorative character. The composition reflects the 19th-century fascination with Greco-Roman allegory and the revival of classical subjects in sculpture. Its somber yet elegant posture suggests an allegorical or mythological subject, consistent with the sculptor’s oeuvre. Artist signature: Incised on the base, “E. Aizelin Fᵗ 1868” — identifying Eugène-Antoine Aizelin (1821–1902) as the sculptor and dating the original model to 1868. Reduction number: A stamped “13” indicating the size classification within the Barbedienne catalog. Seal: Round stamp of the “Réduction Mécanique A. Collas”, certifying the mechanical reduction process used. --- The Sculptor: Eugène-Antoine Aizelin (1821–1902) Aizelin was a French sculptor trained under Jules Ramey and Augustin Dumont at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He exhibited frequently at the Paris Salon from 1852 onward, producing mythological, allegorical, and religious works. His bronzes are widely regarded for their refinement and elegance, and he received commissions for both decorative and monumental works. --- The Foundry: Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810–1892) The base bears the foundry stamp: “F. Barbedienne, Fondeur”. Ferdinand Barbedienne was one of the most important bronze founders of the 19th century, based in Paris. His foundry specialized in producing high-quality reductions of antique and contemporary sculptures. Barbedienne partnered with inventor Achille Collas, who developed a mechanical reduction device that allowed for perfectly scaled models of larger works. Bronzes cast by Barbedienne are recognized for their exceptional craftsmanship and were prized by collectors and museums worldwide. --- Overall Significance This piece is an authentic 19th-century French bronze by a listed sculptor, cast by the premier foundry of the era. Its combination of Aizelin’s neoclassical design, the Barbedienne foundry’s stamp of quality, and the Collas reduction seal makes it a desirable collector’s object. Date of model: 1868 Material: Patinated bronze with gilt highlights Origin: Paris, France Estimated value: Typically $3,000–10,000+, depending on size, condition, and current market demand.