Jean Jacques Pradier (Swiss, 1792-1850), also known as James Pradier, bronze sculpture, "Pandore" or "Pandora," brown patina with gilt highlights, modeled as the mythological female figure holding a jar. Signed on base in script "Pradier sc--,"and "E de Labroue F--" 16 in. H, mounted to black stone plinth, 2 1/2" H x 7" square. Total height 18 1/2" overall. 24 lbs. Note: According to Greek legend, Pandora was the first woman created by the Greek gods to bring havoc on the earth as revenge for Prometheus stealing fire. Her gifts to seduce men were said to be carried in the jar. Pradier exhibited a large (37") Pandore at the Paris Salon in 1850 and again the following year at London's 1851 Great Exhibition. Only two large ones are known; one is in the Musee d'Art et d'Histoire in Geneva. This smaller size version was made for commercial production. Ref. Lapaire:" James Pradier et la sculpture Francaise de la generation romantique," Zurich, 2010, pp. 74-5 & 345-7, no. 263; C. Lapaire and J. Gaborit," Statues de Chair: Sculptures de James Pradier," ex. cat., MusÈe d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva, 1986. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)

Some wear to gilding and spots of oxidation on robes, arm and exposed leg, minute scattered chips to base (largest 1/4").