catalog text
ISIDORE BONHEUR
France, 1827-1901
"Standing Bison Bonasus"
Patinated bronze | sand-cast circa 1870 | signed in cast "I. BONHEUR"
Item # 202PSV12A
A fine example of Bonheur's very scarce model depicting a standing European Wood Bison, also known as a Bison Bonasus, this sand-cast example was almost certainly produced by his brother-in-law, Hippolyte Peyrol. Unmarked by the foundry, the work exhibits a silky surface with exquisite texture and captured detail throughout, little evidence of cold-tooling and the distinctive peened joinery in the underside of the base closely associated with that foundry. The model is finished in an overall brown patina with a coppery-golden undertone relieved through the darker browns. It is the only one our gallery has handled and an incredibly infrequent find on the open market.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- The Bronzes of "Les Animaliers", Jane Horswell, 1971, p. 216
Measurements: 6 1/4" H x 9 1/2" W; 8 3/8" W (base) x 3 3/4" D (base)
Condition Report:
Excellent original condition. Fine patinated surface throughout, cleaned and sealed under conservator-grade wax. Light handling wear to base, otherwise mostly untouched.