Antoine-Louis Barye

Barye Studio, Paris;
Marquis de Biron, Paris;
thence by descent to his nephew, Comte de Loriol, Lausanne;
with the Heim Gallery, London, 1982

Heim Gallery, London, Seven Centuries of European Sculpture, 1982, no. 48

Overall the condition of the wax is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The sculpture is a studio wax sketch, and is unfinished in areas. A few sections are a little loose, including a reattached section of the boar’s raised leg, and both of the wolf’s hind paws, which are also reattached. There are several small fissures in the terrasse. There are possible losses to the edges of the terrasse. There are whiteish specks of dirt or residue in some of the crevices. There may be a small loss to the boar’s snout. There appears to be a small loss to the end of the wolf’s proper right hind paw. The end of the wolf’s tail appears to be reattached.
"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."

The present wax, with its winding and dynamic composition, never seems to have been executed in bronze. Since wolves and boars mostly appear in Barye's later models, it is possible that the sculptor simply did not have the time to execute this version in bronze.