catalog text
HENRI ALFRED JACQUEMART
French, 1824-1896
"The Hound and the Tortoise"
Patinated sand-cast bronze | Cast circa 1880 | Signed in base "A. JACQUEMART" | cold-stamped "A*D DELEFONTAINE" verso
Item # 303ZOL16A
A difficult model to find and always highly sought-after, this fine example of Jacquemart's Hound and the Tortoise retains an attractive original patina that is overall greenish-brown with ever-so-faint reddish undertones. The application of the patina showcases a nice overall surface texture.
This model is discussed in Christopher Payne's Animals in Bronze where it is illustrated on the back cover [also see p. 220, pl. 7 for a full color illustration and discussion of the model]. The same model is held in the permanent collection of Ireland's National Trust, Springhill [acc. no. 216279]. Signed to the base "A. JACQUEMART", the edge is cold-stamped A*D DELEFONTAINE for the August Delafontaine foundry and the underside is cleanly finished in a natural bronze devoid of sand remnants. It features peened-post joinery with a clever inclusion of a slotted screw that can be removed to insert a rod if a marble base were desired at some point. The screw appears to have never been removed and has mostly become one with the surrounding material.
Measurements: 6" H x 4" D x 7" W
Condition Report: Excellent original condition, no flaws observed. Carefully cleaned and sealed in conservator-grade wax.