5 centimetres which inspired many replicas

It is learned, very serious and witty in his speech. There study firm which contains (...) many ancient medals and portraits of heroes and the sculptures in marble and bronze and beautiful natural wonders. "(1) This description of an Italian villa and its owner, in 1590, is a reflection of the ideal Renaissance collector. Human knowledge, he deploys his cabinet of curiosities a miniature world of rarities. Today, this ideal is far. As observed by the Director of the Department of sculpture at Christie's, Donald Johnston, "the interest of art lovers is oriented mainly towards the 20th century and works in two dimensions, especially tables." The eye is more educated to appreciate the works in three dimensions, the sculptures. A small cleverly achieved bronze will not attract the eye as an impressionistic array. It will be not identifiable immediately. "This is a subtle collection area". Subtle and rare... Because the auctions that offer quality bronze coins are few.

In fact, as observed French dealer recognized as one of the world specialists in the field, Alain Moatti, "it is a sector which is today a small number of insiders". "They know very well their subject which are excellently recommended, as is often the case in the United States," he added.

Unambiguous origins

Chance auction, London and Paris will be dispersed in December two collections of bronze. The most important, estimated at EUR 2.2 million, contains 62 pieces and will be proposed by Christie's on December 7. It is the collection Beit of Italian bronzes of the Renaissance, by two British businessmen, Alfred Beit (1853-1906), and then his brother Otto Beit (1865-1930). The first had made a fortune in South Africa with gold and diamond mines. All was selected by one of the major German connoisseurs in the field, Wilhelm von Bode, who also gave its name to a Museum of the Western classical sculpture which has just reopened in Berlin. The collection is assigned by the Beit Foundation, owner of a historic house in Ireland, in order to fund its conservation.

The origins of the 62 lots are carefully put forward in the catalogue by Christie's. It must be said that ancient bronzes lovers appreciate references. Because the area is partly polluted by late replicas of old models massively produced as early as the 18th century and until today. "60 bronzes of the proposed 62 were acquired prior to 1913," certifies Donald Johnston. "This collection evokes well the taste of the elite in the early 20th century." It also reflects the spirit of rebellion against the Church which is take for reference the ancient Italian artists.

The average of the very conservative estimates according to the expert, is 10,000 euros, but the centerpiece of the collection out of standards, is a Gladiator melted in bronze around 1500. The room assigned to Riccio (1470-1532), regarded as one of the best sculptors of the Venetian bronze of his time, estimated 1.1 million euros. It is a powerful and expressive fighter to the raised arm, close attack. An archetype of the athlete, top of 30.5 centimetres, which inspired many replicas. "The works of excellence are often considered unique", explains Alain Moatti. "Melting, the carving, the patina are extreme accuracy.". According to the merchant, the rating of this type of bronze is very strong and always intensely sought, commonly exceeding EUR million. Indeed, in 2003, a bronze of Mantua dated of the end of the 15th century, found in the closet of a house in the English countryside, had been awarded for a record in this specialty price: 7.3 million.

On the other hand, Alain Moatti observes that the parts manufactured in numbers or less outstanding invoice, even dated Renaissance were the subject of a lack of interest in growing since the 1970s.

In this range, found for example an Adam to the Houphouet underlined, designed in Florence in the second part of the 16th century, estimated 15,000 euros. Among the objects more accessible financially, for 1,800 euros of estimation, there is also a hound looking head thrown to a master imagination, purchased in 1904 by Alfred Beit, which certainly was produced in France or Germany in the 17th century.

On 20 December, at the hotel Drouot, the Piasa study disperse a collection of 10 bronzes, designed, according to experts, during the great period in the field, during the reign of Louis XIV. Estimated total of 360,000 euros, they come from a French family who clearly wishes to remain anonymous and who had a taste for the style of the splendour of the Sun King. It's particularly decorative pieces and some large format (height 50 cm). According to the expert Alexandre Lacroix, "there is no much information on the Parisian artists responsible for the production of bronzes of the time".

Because parts were carried out according to recognized standards, often inspired by ancient models on mythological or allegorical themes. The highest estimate is given for "The Tiber and the Nile", a group of two long 72 centimetres in powerful, majestically elongate male characters in the ancient bronzes. The subject was popular at the time, around 1700, and marble copies ordered by Louis XIV are today in the garden of the Tuileries in Paris.

Among the pieces that evoke the grace, there is a "Leda and the Swan" which the expert has identified the author, a certain Corneille Van Cleve (1645-1732), who worked the sculpture, among others to Louis XIV (estimate: 60,000 euros). For him, "the quality of the patinas, melting in a single jet and the size of these pieces make exceptional objects."

Alexandre Lacroix hopes that this collection will raise a keen interest to designers. The sale will tell if the taste of the great Louis XIV decor was still favors from the beginning of the 21st century.