catalog text
"A HITCHED HORSE" CAST AFTER MODEL BY ISIDORE JULES BONHEUR (FRENCH, 1827-1901)
Bronze with black-and-brown with red patina; signed in base "I. Bonheur", foundry mark " * / * d'ESTRAY"
Item # 103PZO11X
A fine lifetime cast of Isidore Bonheur's model of a thoroughbred stallion hitched to a post over a well-trod base, the sculpture is perhaps intended by Isidore as an opposing counterpart to his model of a mare with her foreleg caught up in the reigns hitching her to a post (see Animals in Bronze, Payne, 2002, p. 296, f. H59).
The present model was cast by the Parisian foundry d'Estray, a firm Isidore worked with for many of his models; the foundry mark reads "* / * d'ESTRAY" cold-stamped to the edge of the base above the various steps of the rim. The horse is affixed with posts through the base secured with square-cut nuts from the underside.
The surface is finished in a rather complex patina of overall black rubbed through to reveal dark browns and scattered red pigment highlights in the cross-hatched and overall filing recesses of the beautifully chased and finished surface.
Affixed with an original linked chain to a textured hitching post, the horse stands over a chaotically modeled naturalistic base of ovular form with crisp stepped edging.
It is a most pleasing presentation of this beautiful stallion, a crisp casting that is beautifully finished and remains in exquisite original condition.
Measurements: 21 3/8" W x 15 7/16" H x 5 3/4" D
Condition Report:
Very light rubbed wear to patina along horses hips and back visible under strong light; spots of pitting to shoulder of front left leg (the leg beside the post).