A Pair of Orientalist Patinated-Bronze Figural Torchères

Object Description

A Pair of Orientalist Patinated-Bronze Figural Torchères, Entitled ‘Les Deux Indiens’. Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paris, From the Models by François-Christophe-Armand Toussaint (1806-1862).

Signed ‘Ad. TOUSSAINT.1850’, ‘F. BARBEDIENNE. FONDEUR.’ and ‘REDUCTION MECANIQUE / A.COLLAS / BREVETE’

Fitted for electricity.

France, Circa 1870.

Armand Toussaint (1806-1862) trained at the École des Beaux-Arts where he studied under David d’Angers (1788-1856). He received the Prix de Rome in 1832 and made his debut at the Salon in 1836. He was awarded the Médaille de la Légion d’Honneur in 1852. His work included many commissions for public buildings in Paris, such as for the Palais de Justice, Notre Dame, Saint Clotilde and the Palais du Louvre.

Object History

The plaster models of these Orientalist figures were first shown at the Paris Salon of 1847 (n° 2161 & 2162). Their noble resolve is captured by their downcast eyes, and they were complimented at the time for capturing the pathos of a vanquished people. They were commissioned in life-size bronze by the French state, cast by the Eck et Durand foundry and shown at the Paris Salon of 1850 (n° 3599). Today they remain at the Ministre de l’Intérieur at the Elysée Palace. They were added to the inventory of the Mobilier National in 1990 (GML 10258/1 et 2). [ https://collection.mobilier-national.fr/objet/GML-10258-001 ].

Following their success at the Salon, Toussaint capitalised on their popularity and licensed the reproduction rights to the Graux-Marly and Barbedienne foundries. The Barbedienne foundry employed the mechanical reduction technique of A. Collas to produce reduced versions of 112 and 70 cm high.

These figures demonstrate the remarkable vision and talent of Toussaint who received the Médaille de la Légion d’Honneur in 1852, most probably as a direct result of the present models.

Object Literature

F. Rionnet, ‘Les Bronzes Barbedienne – L’oeuvre d’une dynastie de foundeurs (1834-1954)’, Arthena, Paris, 2016, cat. 1631. p.448.

Object Details