Lot 334: JULES FÉLIX COUTAN 1848 - 1939 A PAIR OF OVER-LIFE-SIZED FIGURAL TORCHÈRES

JULES FÉLIX COUTAN 1848 - 1939 A PAIR OF OVER-LIFE-SIZED FIGURAL TORCHÈRES each modeled as a classicaly clad female musician, one holding a mandolin, the other a lyre, holding aloft a later gilt-bronze four-light candelabrum. Each figure stamped J. COUTAN to the base, and one with the cast plaque inscribed THIEBAULT FRERES / BRONZES D'ART / 32 AVENUE DE L'OPERA . height overall 109 in. 277 cm

Coutan had a highly successful career as a sculptor and designer, which began with his winning the Prix de Rome in 1871 whilst studying under Pierre-Jules Cavelier at the École des Beaux-Arts. He went on to contribute to the sculptural decoration of many of Paris' most important buildings, such as the Hôtel de Ville and the Palais de Justice. His international portfolio included a pediment in New York's Grand Central Station and a monument to Carlos Pelligrini in Buenos Aires. He was Director of Design at the Sèvres Porcelain factory in the 1890s, before replacing Falguière at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1900.

This lot, a symbolic representation of Music, falls within his allegorical oeuvre and also clearly reflects his time at and interest in sculpture as decoration while director of the Sèvres factory.