Lot 145: AUGUSTE NICHOLAS CAIN FRENCH BRONZE BIRDS VIDE POCHE

A French Antique Bronze Animalier Vide Poche, Auguste-Nicolas Cain (1822-1894), depicting two quarreling birds above a naturalistic leaf form dish, further decorated with blackberries, raised on floriform feet, signed Cain on leaf one side. 9"x7 1/2"x10 1/4". Weight 5 pds. PROVENANCE: A Private Charleston SC Estate. Auguste Nicholas CaIn ( 1821-1894) was a noted French sculptor in the Animaliers school, known for his portrayals of wild and domesticated animals. Cain was born in Paris, and studied under Rude, Guionnet, and Pierre-Jules Mene (whose daughter he married in 1852). His first exhibit in the Salon of 1846 was a wax model of a linnet defending her nest from a rat, later cast in bronze and shown at the 1855 Salon. Between 1846-1888, Caïn exhibited 38 models at the Salon. From 1868 onwards he concentrated on monuments, including the Chiens de meute at the Chateau de Chantilly, Le Lion de Nubie et sa proie in the Jardin du Luxembourg, and Tigress and Peacock in the Gardens of the Tuileries. In 1879 he assumed management of his father-in-laws foundry upon Menes death. Henri Caïn, a well known librettist, and Georges Cain, the painter, were his sons.

good, antique