Lot 48: Jean-Baptiste-Joseph De Bay fils French, 1802-1862 , Un Hallali (a hunting cry) bronze, rich dark brown patina

signed: J. DEBAY. and inscribed Susse F and Reduction Sauvage bronze, rich dark brown patina

measurements note 43 by 49cm., 17 by 19¼in.

The cry 'hallali' indicates to hunters that the dogs have ringed in their quarry so that the hunter can approach and kill it. De Bay's model was exhibited in plaster at the Salon of 1836 and in bronze in 1838. The bronze also featured in the Exposition Universelle of 1855 with the title "Le genie de la chasse". It was bought by the state from De Bay's widow and placed first in the Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, before being transferred to the park at the château de Compiège.

Jean-Baptiste-Joseph De Bay was the elder brother of Auguste-Hyacinthe De Bay, whose work also features in this sale, see lot 72. Jean-Baptiste-Joseph is often called fils as his father, also a sculptor, bore the same name.

RELATED LITERATURE
See Lami, vol.2 p.128; Cadet, p. 175