Lot 115: ATTRIBUTED TO ETIENNE LE HONGRE (1628-1690), FRENCH, CIRCA 1685-1690, | Allegory of Air

bronze, brown patina

64,5 cm; 25 1/2 in.

bronze, brown patina

The bronze is in overall good condition with a few casting flaws and wear to the patina at the high points in several places consistent with age and handling. There is a rectangular dent (ca.1cm) to her proper left elbow of the raised arm and another small knock behind her proper left shoulder. The arm has been cast separately with a joint visible to her proper left shoulder and to the junction between the drapery and her hand. There is a light scratch to her proper left cheek, and some wear to the patina to tip of the nose tip and chin. There is a fine square patch visible to her proper left thigh (ca 1cm). The lower end of the drapery (in the back) appears to have been cast separately with a casting joint barely visible. A few core pin holes visible to the bronze, one tiny one to the eagle, and another one in the drapery (ca. 5mm) where the plug is lost. A few very fine hairline fissures to the surface of the bronze at several places and around her right ankle. Several casting flaws to the terrace, in particular to the edges, some of which have fillings, with a small square plug visible to the lower edge in the front of the terrace.The bronze had been covered with a black wax which has been removed by a professionnel restorer. This is a high quality cast , precise in all details with regular brushing to her body and drapery, fine chiselling and punching to her hair and to the clouds of the terrace.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Bresc-Bautier, G. Scherf, Bronzes français de la Renaissance au Siècle des Lumières, Paris, 2009, pp. 249-247, no. 64 et pp. 404 - 407.
W. Holzhausen, 'Die Bronzen Augusts des Starken in Dresden' , in Jahrbuch der preussischen Kunstsammlungen, t. 60, 1939, pp. 157-186;
F. Souchal, French Sculptors of the 17^th and 18^th centuries. The reign of Louis XIV, Oxford, 1981, pp. 320-321, no. 68;
Cabinet de l'amateur, exh. cat. Orangerie des Tuileries, février -avril, 1956, n° 205 (for the cast in the Feray collection).

Formerly collection of Count of Pourtalès;
with Jacques Seligmann (1858-1923), place Vendôme, Paris;
acquired from the above by Humbert de Wendel (1876-1954), in the Wendel hotel, 10 rue de Clichy, Paris;
thence by family descent to the present owner.