A very rare and historically important French patinated bronze souvenir of the Statue of Liberty dated 1878

Estimate

5,000 - 7,000 EUR

bidding is closed

Description

inscribed to the right shoulder Souvenir de l'exposition 1878 Statue de la Liberté Bartholdi copyright 30 august 1876, with foundry mark to the left shoulder Avoiron Cie Paris
overall 13cm. high.

on black marble plinth

Literature

Charles M. Blanc, Les Beaux-Arts a l'exposition universelle de 1878, Paris 1878, p. 21 and 175.
Catalogue officiel publié par le Commissariat Général. Tome I, Groupe I, Oevre d'art, Paris 1878, p. 83.
Horst W. Janson, 19th century sculpture, New York 1985, p. 179-181.

Condition

In overall good condition with minor wear to the patination, one spike to the headdress missing, one with minor crack, some minor warping, small chips to the black marble plinth, the bust slightly loose on the plinth.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (French, 1834-1904) and Gustave Eiffel (French, 1832-1923), was a gift of friendship from France to the United States and commemorates the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. On June 30^th, 1878 the completed head of the statue was shown at the Paris Exposition in the garden of the Tocadéro Palace. Being responsible for the financing of the statue, the French people initiated charitable lotteries, public donations and various forms of entertainment to raise the sum of 2.250.000 Francs.
The present work is most probably one of the miniatures which were sold at the Paris Exposition in 1878 for raising the construction funds and is therefore a history-charged symbol of freedom and democracy and the friendship between France and the United States.