Sculptor - Antoine Louis Barye
Title - Jaguar Devorant un Crocodile
Sand Cast Bronze
Henry Bonnard
Circa 1890
3 1/8" height by 9 3/8" length
(8 cm by 24 cm)
Barye's Jaguar Devorant un Crocodile shows a life and death struggle between a big cat and a large reptile. Barye is best known for his cat-reptile sculptures which include Lion et Serpent (in all its variations), Jaguar holding a Caiman, and Tiger devouring a Gavial Crocodile. The Jaguar's muscles tense as he bites into the neck of the Crocodile which writhes in agony. A very powerful and dramatic composition for its rather small size of 24 cm long.
Barye first created this model of a Jaguar and Caiman in the 1850s , and it was later cast by Barbedienne during the late 19th century. This cast is done by the Henry Bonnard Bronze Company of NY 1890 and it is plainly marked on the base with their mark and the date 1890. The Barye Monument Association had a huge exhibit in 1890 to raise funds and some of the larger American foundries cast a few of Barye's small models. This cast is most likely one done in commemoration with the 1890 exhibit.
This bronze has a rich brown and green patina, the details are sharp and it is equal to a Barbedienne cast as we have compared them side by side. A fine and rare model, and especially interesting due to the American connection with the 1890 exhibit.
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