Barbedienne Collas Foundary French Gilt Bronze of Diana of Gabii c. 1860

A superb mid 19th century gilt bronze of the original marble sculpture known as Diana of Gabii. The larger than life sized marble statue is believed to date from 347 BC and found in the late 18th century during excavations at Gabii near to Rome and is attributed to the roman sculptor Praxiteles. At one time the original statue was owned by Napoleon but now resides at the Louvre in Paris.

The figure is of a young woman in drapery with the weight of her body resting on her right leg supported by a tree stump, the left leg free and thrown back with the heel slightly raised as she walks. This is the virgin goddess of hunting and the wild known as Diana and as Artemis. She wears the typical clothing of a goddess, large sleeved chiton bound by two belts and she is shown here pinning her cloak on, her flowing hair pulled back by a band tied above her neck and gathered in a bun. It was a practice for young girls to offer garments to Artemis for consecration and here she is putting one of the gifted cloaks on.

This beautiful gilt bronze is a reduction cast by The Barbedienne foundry which was set up in 1838 by Ferdinand Barbedienne and Achille Collas ('Reduction Mechanique A Collas Brevete'). Their work intricately and faithfully produced bronze figures of renowned statues and the foundry produced the finest bronzes and collaborated closely with many famous artists of the day. The bronze bears both the foundry stamp, the names of Bardienne and Collas. The pure gold is overlaid on the bronze here to stunning effect.

A really beautiful, superb quality and large mid-19th century French Barbedienne gilt bronze in truly excellent original condition and dating from c. 1860.