Presenting a unique antique bronze figurine by the renowned French Animalier sculptor Christophe Fratin. This is a very charming, miniature bronze of a sitting piglet, crafted in France in the 1830s -1840s.
About the Sculptor:
Christopher Fratin was a pioneering figure in the 19th-century Animalier movement, celebrated for his dynamic and naturalistic bronze animal sculptures. As one of the first French artists to specialize in this genre, his works are held in major international collections, including the Louvre in Paris.
The figurine bears the sculptor's original stamped mark. Fratin never signed his bronzes by hand but instead used a stamp with his surname in straight block letters. On one of the stamps he used, the letter 'N' is reversed—not by design, but due to an error by the stamp maker. Consequently, bronzes bearing this distinctive stamp are considered early, rare, and unique.
Our bronze sitting piglet, featuring a fine brown patina, measures 2 x 2 1/8 x 1 3/8 inches (approx. 5.1 x 5.4 x 3.5 cm).
This is an exceptional and highly rare piece, representing a superb opportunity for serious collectors.