Celebrated French Masters Mercié & Barbedienne Circa 1870, Patinated Bronze Grand Sculpture of “David Vainqueur” (David & Goliath), 36″ High

Documented extensively,  this dynamic sculpture is meant to be view in the “round” and is also known as “David with the Head of Goliath” by the celebrated French master sculptor Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercie (1845-1916). This is one of his most famous and most treasured works and was cast by the renowned French foundry of Barbedienne and Collas as shown by the seal on the sculpture’s base.

Mercié who studied in Italy, was influenced by the Renaissance masters Raphael and Verrocchio. The present example is a reduced version of Mercié’s original in the Musee d’Orsay Paris, and was cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, one of the leading bronze workers of his day. It is signed to the base for Barbedienne and is also marked with “Reduction Mechanique Collas Brevete” the reduction stamp for Collas.

For Barbedienne, one of the most revered foundries in 19th-century France, Collas invented and used a revolutionary 1830s-era device which yielded miniature likenesses of antiquities for the interiors of wealthy and prominent clients the world over.

The level of precision with the overall design is exquisite and the attention to detail in the finishing makes for a work of art that is intriguing and absolutely magnetic.

Dimension: Height 36″ x width 16.5″ x depth 16″ x diameter of base 9″