BITE. BRONZE, MARBLE. FRANCE, CIRCA LATE 19TH CENTURY.

Grip. Blued bronze, marble. France, towards the end of the 19th century. Blued bronze sculpture on an oval base in veined marble in green tones that shows two lionesses or two panthers immersed in a fight, one biting the other's neck and both with their claws, limbs and muscles in tension. It is necessary to highlight both the quality of the design and composition as well as that of the modeling and casting, since a series of striking details can be clearly seen in the work. On the base, engraved, there is an inscription, linked to Clovis-Edmond Masson (Paris, France, 1838-1913). Trained with Antoine-Louis Barye, Rouillard and Santiago, he showed his work (mainly animal themes and almost always using bronze, wax or plaster) at the Paris Salon on a regular basis between 1867 and 1909. Thanks to the popularity and quality of his works, numerous bronze figures were made for the interiors of prominent residences. Currently, the most valued works are those of felines in violent attitudes and postures or showing strength, which seem to anticipate what was common in this type of art in France between 1910 and 1930.

· Size: 65x23x38 cms.