Large Well Patinated 19th Century Bronze of Neopolitan Dancer - by Duret c. 1880

A large 19th century bronze statue of the Neopolitan Dancer with tambourine from a model by Francisque Joseph Duret. Signed to base Duret f. and with a handwritten inscription below ‘csl cts’.

In very good original condition.

Fransisque Joseph Duret was born in 1804 and he first exhibited a pair of dancers, one with castanets and one with tambourine at the Paris Salon Exhibition of 1838 and in 1855 the scultures won a first class medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle. The earliest castings were made by the Belafontaine foundry from around 1838 onwards and larger 19th century examples are rarely seen.

This is a beautiful and finely cast figure dating from around 1880 and the bronze has an excellent warm dark brown patina with no significant marks, issues or damage. Very heavy at approximately 6 kilos and standing firm and flat.

An utterly joyous bronze statue, the fluidity of the dance, the sound of the tambourine and perfect balance of the dancer capturing a moment of beauty and elegance.