JEAN-BAPTISTE CARPEAUX (FRENCH, 1827–1875)

Encrier rieur napolitain

Details

JEAN-BAPTISTE CARPEAUX (FRENCH, 1827–1875)
Encrier rieur napolitain
surmounted by Rieur napolitain and two climbing lobsters, the base with modelled frog atop a decorative shell fountain spout, the conforming inkwells decorated with lily pads and foliate lids, on tortoise-cast feet, the base stamped with 'PROPRIETE CARPEAUX' cachet
bronze, medium brown patina
10 in. (25.5 cm.) high; 11 in. (28 cm.) wide; 6 in. (15 cm.) deep
Literature

M. Poletti and A. Richarme, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux sculpteur: Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre édité, Paris, 2003, p. 174, no. AN. OD1.
Lot Essay

Carpeaux's Rieur napolitain, one of the artist's most recognizable works, was conceived in 1863 in conjunction with his studies at the Villa Medici. The present encrier, separately conceived circa 1869-70, is a whimsical composition featuring aquatic motifs. Four bronze inkwells of this form appear in the the ventes Carpeaux from 1871-1874 and the model was later cast posthumously by Susse Freres in 1910 and 1912.