catalog text
"INDIAN BATTLING A WILDCAT"
François Auguste Hippolyte Peyrol Jr.
Gilded bronze | Signed "H. PEYROL" | Cold-stamped "PEYROL"
Item # 103HEY05X
This dramatic scene with life hanging in the balance captures the raw tension of a perilous moment where no clear advantage is offered to either side. While the warrior grips the cat by its coat and the ax is readied in hand, the cat has its claws firmly in the determined warrior with muscles taught and poised for action.
A lifetime cast circa 1910 and finished in a brilliant gold surface; note the fine hammered and textured surfaces and chiseling. It is signed in the naturalistic base "H. PEYROL" and is cold-stamped with the typical "PEYROL" foundry mark to the reverse. The model is situated over an original rouge marble base.
François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol Jr.
Born in 1832, François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol came to Paris in 1842 when his mother married widower Raimond Bonheur. He studied painting and sculpture under Raimond, who sent him to study under the celebrated animal sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye and he later studied under Emmanuel Fremiet. In 1852 he married his step-sister, Juliette Bonheur and on June 10th of 1856 they had their first son, François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol. Their second son, Rene Peyrol, was born July 4th of 1860.
By 1875 François had established himself as an editeur of bronzes at 24, Haute Feuille in Paris where he exclusively cast bronze works for Rosa and Isidore. By 1890, Peyrol had located his premises at 14, rue de Crussol and he passed away in Paris on January 29 1900.
François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol (Jr.) studied painting under his aunt, Rosa Bonheur, and sculpture under his uncle, Isidore Bonheur, as well as Tabard and Frenne, first exhibiting at Salon in 1880. He was awarded honorable mention at the Salon des Artistes Francais in 1883, 1886 and 1892, achieving a second-class metal in 1892 and first class in 1894. In 1899 he collaborated with his uncle to execute the Monument to Rosa Bonheur in Fountainbleu as a commemoration to her. In 1908 he was awarded the Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur. Much of his work was focused around animal subjects. He continued to operate his father's business until approximately 1927 when it ceased operations.
Measurements: [sculpture] 17 1/2" H x 5 5/8" D x 9" W; [total dimensions on the marble base] 19" H x 6 7/8" D x 10" W
Condition Report:
Trace oxidization and discoloration around the joints, notable encircling the waist, the roman joint pin in figure's neck, various recesses and fissures; gilding oxidization reveals pins in figure's forearm and cat's tail; trace gilding loss, including a few small spots to the right shoulder, the garment around his waist. Original rouge marble base with two void holes where a commemoration plaque would likely have hung at one point.