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silla was born out of a passion for beautiful objects: special pieces with aesthetic and historical significance. In 2009, after years of collecting, Andrew Silla and his wife Grace began to work privately with clients from their residence in Southern Maryland. Quickly outgrowing the space, the business was moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 2012 and after several warehouse location changes it was firmly settled in the present brick-and-mortar location in downtown Shippensburg.

The 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery is home to a large collection of works of art and estate jewelry. We specialize in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 with a particular emphasis on the Animaliers and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display.

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"Taureau", bronze sculpture | Rosa Bonheur (French, 1822-99)

Bonheur, Rosa

SKU:
912EFC05A

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catalog text

BRONZE SCULPTURE OF TAUREAU BY ROSA BONHEUR
Signed in base “Rosa B”, cast by Peyrol but unmarked; modeled circa 1846
Item # 912EFC05A


A rare and fine sculpture that is extensively documented in the relatively small body of Rosa Bonheur’s work in bronze, the model captures a Striding Bull over a naturalistic base.  A treacherous and powerful animal, he is portrayed as a lean and dominating figure, a certain majestic quality captured in his confident march.  An anatomically exacting model, the bull is proportionally and structurally precise with a level of surface detail that is quite moving.  His thin and sleek coat is taught as it moves over muscles, tendons and large bone structure. He is situated over a naturalistic rocky base signed in a crisp flowing hand “Rosa B”.

The quality of the patina is self-evident with a translucent glowing surface rich with browns and blacks. It is unmarked but, in light of the highly distinctive construction technique, was almost certainly cast by her brother-in-law, Hippolyte Peyrol.

Remaining in exceptional original condition, it is an exquisite museum quality acquisition.

Literature:

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art, acc. no. 52.126.1
  • Art Bronzes, Michael Forrest, 1988, p. 204, f. 3.118 [present example represented w/ 6” documented height]
  • The Animaliers, James Mackay, 1973, p.48 [present example, “Bull”, 6” documented height]
  • Bronze Sculpture of “Les Animaliers”, Jane Horswell, 1971, p. 179 [present example, 6 1/2” documented height]
  • Animals in Bronze, Christopher Payne, 1986, p. 174, f. Catl.19 [present example, “Peyrol version recorded as 18 cm (7ins.)”]
  • Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century: Dictionary of Sculptors, Pierre Kjellberg, 1994, p. 106-107 [notes on “Taureau” include original dimensions from the May 30 1900 sales catalog after Bonheur’s death, noting Taureau’s intended dimensions at 16 x 24 cm; further notes record three sales of Taureau where it measures 17 cm in height]
  • Sotheby's, New York, Sale N08496, December 5 2008, achieved $ 7000 USD


Measurements
:  6 1/8" H x 11 1/2" W x 10 3/4" W [base only] x 4 1/4" D [base only]

Condition Report:
Minor wear around base edges. Original patina, exceptional original condition.