687
An Emile Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929) patinated bronze 'tete de Gorgone' (head of Medusa) door knocker
Estimate:
$6,000 - $8,000
Sold
$7,000
Live Auction
Jewelry, Furniture, Art & Fine Asian | October Auction
Description
An Emile Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929) patinated bronze 'tete de Gorgone' (head of Medusa) door knocker, designed by Bourdelle for the Jean-Arthur Fontaine of Maison Fontaine, circa 1925, modeled as Theseus's hand grasping the Gorgon's head, 22"h.
Provenance: Purchased from the artist by Mr. Takanaga Mitsui (1892-1962) and Hiroko (Shimazu) Mitsui (1897-1983) and decsended through the family.
Note: While this item appears unmarked, it's likely due to the missing strike plate. Similar models display the foundry mark 'Alexis Rudier Founder Paris' and the signature 'Antoine Bourdelle' on the strike plate.
Exhibited: the Pavillon Fontaine of the 'International Exhibition of Decorative Arts' in 1925; 'Le Cuivre et le bronze modernes' at the Musee Galliera in 1926, and 'A Knockout Success! Exceptional Door-Knockers for Fontaine Art Locksmiths in 1925' at the La Piscine, Roubaix in 2023.
Literature: I. Jianou and M. Dufet, 'Bourdelle, 3eme ed.' Paris, 1984, no. 664 (private Japanese collection listed)
Provenance: Purchased from the artist by Mr. Takanaga Mitsui (1892-1962) and Hiroko (Shimazu) Mitsui (1897-1983) and decsended through the family.
Note: While this item appears unmarked, it's likely due to the missing strike plate. Similar models display the foundry mark 'Alexis Rudier Founder Paris' and the signature 'Antoine Bourdelle' on the strike plate.
Exhibited: the Pavillon Fontaine of the 'International Exhibition of Decorative Arts' in 1925; 'Le Cuivre et le bronze modernes' at the Musee Galliera in 1926, and 'A Knockout Success! Exceptional Door-Knockers for Fontaine Art Locksmiths in 1925' at the La Piscine, Roubaix in 2023.
Literature: I. Jianou and M. Dufet, 'Bourdelle, 3eme ed.' Paris, 1984, no. 664 (private Japanese collection listed)
Condition
Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at online@clars.com. The absence of a condition statement does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition