Lot 197: PIERRE LE GROS (attrib.) - Two lions crouched made in gilded bronzeRome, late 17th or early 18th century.

PIERRE LE GROS (attrib.)
(Paris, 1666 – Rome, 1719)

Two lions crouched made in gilded bronze
Rome, late 17th or early 18th century.
Golden bronze, 13 x 28 cm
The two lions, although apparently identical, among themselves differential elements in the modeling and expression, thus forming two distinct works even if performed by the same author that make up a unique and inseparable.
It should be first pointed out that these works constitute an outstanding example of very high quality in the modeling and in the technical execution.
The technique with which they were made is that the merger "lost wax"and was later finished by very accurate work of cold chisel. The extraordinary aspect of these works is the amazing plastic rendering of the subjects and the remarkable virtuosity finishes, it is not unreasonable to assume that, rather than sculptures, these two works represent true examples of jewelery.
After the work of burin cold were subjected to gold plating to mercury, which remains wide track on the surfaces.
From an interpretative point of view, these two works, which we does not hesitate to describe as true masterpieces of Roman bronzes of the late 17th century and early 18th century, are ascribed, in all probability, to the hand of Pierre Le Gros (Paris 1666 - Rome 1719), who produced after his move to Paris, as well as numerous works in marble and bronze also silver. In particular, it is reported that Le Gros executed numerous commissions for Livio Odescalchi, the favorite nephew of Innocent the XI, which are express in the execution of works of small and medium-sized bronze and silver. In this sense, Le Gros place beside the execution of large-scale works with works intended for private use.
These two lions represent, without doubt, of the absolute masterpieces that not appear on the antiquities market since long time

Ancient Art