catalog text
“WOUNDED PARTRIDGE” BY PAUL COMOLERA (FRENCH, 1818-1897)
Signed "P. Comolera" and “Poux Ciseleur” on base, exhibited c. 1865
Item # 605IVP28P
A work of unreal quality and expression, the sculpture is so finely chiseled that it rivals life. Within the individual feathers are dozens of precise taps and chisels to create naturalistic texturing and parallel graining - each feature is unique, given an imperfection and curl that epitomizes realism. The subject captures a partridge that has broken it’s foot and now lies faltering on the textured rocky ground in a struggle to recover. One of the most inconsistent and difficult textures to capture are that of the bird, as it is an incredibly complex animal to capture with exacting anatomical accuracy - Comoléra exceeds expectations on this piece in every regard. The base is signed crisply “P. Comoléra” with the scrolled inscription of “Poux Ciseleur” - Poux is a relatively unknown chiseler, though he is mentioned as working as a ciseleur in the shop of Fraçois-Désiré Froment-Meurice (1801-1855) in the March 1851 edition of Magasin Pittoresque (p. 81-82), as noted in the sale of a model by Arthur Waagen at Christies (Sale 2848, Lot 48, signed “Poux Ciseleur” and achieved $10,760 December 14-16, 2010). The present example is a silvered patina over bronze, the surface overall remaining in outstanding original condition.
Literature:
- The Animaliers, James Mackay, 1973, p. 58-59
- Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century: Dictionary of Artists, Pierre Kjellberg, 1994, p. 220-221
- E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Gründ, 2006, Vol. III p. 1284
- Animals in Bronze, Christopher Payne, 1986, p. 94, 96, 240, 400
- Bronze Sculpture of “Les Animaliers”, Jane Horswell, 1971, p. 258-261
Measurements: 10” H x 10 3/8” W x approx. 8” D
Condition Report:
Exceptional original patina - some tarnishing to silvering, light handling wear.