French Grand Tour Ormolu Gilt Bronze Model of Vendome Column, 19th Century for sale at Pamono

Description

This is a wonderful antique French Grand Tour ormolu model of the Vendome Column, circa 1850 in date. This splendid bronze features Napoleon I standing atop in his ‘redingote’ coat and trademark hat, after the original by Charles-Emile Seurre. Construction on the original Vendome column was started in 1806 at Napoleons direction to celebrate the victory of Austerlitz, and completed in 1810. The spiralling column is covered in delightful bas-relief bronze plates – which resemble the original bronze plates constructed out of cannons taken from the combined armies of Europe. It is raised on an elegant cream marble platform base. This stunning high-quality bronze is superbly cast and has an elegant bronze patina. It is made from the lost-wax process, otherwise known as ‘cire perdue’ method. The attention to detail and quality throughout this piece is second to none. Condition: In excellent condition. Dimensions in cm: Height 28 x Width 9 x Depth 9 Dimensions in inches: Height 11 inches x Width 3 inches x Depth 3 inches Place Vendme is a square in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France, located to the north of the Tuileries Gardens and east of the glise de la Madeleine. It is the starting point of the Rue de la Paix. Its regular architecture by Jules Hardouin-Mansart and pedimented screens canted across the corners give the rectangular Place Vendme the aspect of an octagon. The original Vendme Column at the centre of the square was erected by Napoleon I to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz; it was torn down on 16 May 1871, by decree of the Paris Commune, but subsequently re-erected and remains a prominent feature on the square today. Lost Wax Method sometimes called by the French name of cire perdue or the Latin, cera perduta is the process by which a bronze or brass is cast from an artists sculpture. In industrial uses, the modern process is called investment casting. An ancient practice, the process today varies from foundry to foundry, but the steps which are usually used in casting small bronze sculptures in a modern bronze foundry are generally quite standardised. A2374.