Bonhams
Lot 238
THÉODORE RIVIÈRE, FRENCH (1857-1912)A PATINATED BRONZE GROUP OF SALAMMBÔ AT MATHÔ'S ENTITLED CARTHAGEOn an oval base, signed THEODORE RIVIERE CARTHAGE, inscribed Susse Frères Paris with foundry stamp Susse Frères Editeurs Paris, together with a moulded walnut plinth, 19cm wide, 26cm deep, 42cm high (7in wide, 10in deep, 16 1/2in high) the plinth: 7cm high, Footnotes:This model was exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1895 and at the Paris 1900 Universal Exhibition, where it was considered as one of the Symbolist movement's key exhibits.A similar group is in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and a plaster-model is in the collection of the Musée des Beaux Arts in Dijon.Mathô, the chief of the Barbarian soldiers, is depicted dying at the feet of Salammbô, the daughter of his Carthaginian enemy Hamilcar Barca, crying: 'I love you, I love you'. This scene is taken from Gustave Flaubert's novel, Salammbô, published in 1862.A bronze and ivory group also with foundry stamp for Susse Freres Editeurs Paris, was sold at Bonhams, New Bond Street, Fine European Furniture and Works of Art, 5 July 2012, lot 258. Provenance: Sotheby's London, 19th & 20th Century Sculpture, 21 May 2014, lot 75.Literature: Kjellberg Pierre, Les bronzes du XIXe siècle, Dictionnaire des sculpteurs, Paris, Les éditions de l'amateur, 1989;Laure de Margerie, Musée d'Orsay, catalogue sommaire illustré des sculptures, 1986.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
