Object Description
A large superb quality late 19th century (circa 1880) French bronze ‘Pax et Labor’ (translating to ‘Peace & Labour’) of fine patina by Emile Louis Picault (1833-1915).
This bronze consists of a muscular blacksmith or riveter who is used to physical work wearing leather aprons, his sledge hammer resting on the ground supported on a shaped green verde antico marble base.
The marble base having a brass plaque with the following inscription in French, translated as follows:
‘Mr A Cocquel has offered it’s ousiers and employees in honour of the First Prize, the gold medal which was awarded to him by the jury.
Paris World Exhibition 1889’
The bronze is marked ‘Picault’, the French sculptor Emile Picault was particularly known for creating sculptures depicting patriotic or allegorical subjects, we have also found what is possibly a foundry mark, ‘Basset Editeur’.
This bronze can be found in the Schiffer book ‘Bronzes, Sculptors & Founders 1800-1930’ Volume 2 by Harold Berman, page 378, plate 1396.
This impressive bronze sculpture is in excellent condition for age and can go straight into a home.
Size:
Height: 31.5” / 80cm
Width: 10.25” / 26cm
Depth: 14” / 35.5cm