Bronze Lion Training A Wild Boar Christophe Fratin Dated 1836

Bronze sculpture with a nuanced brown patina representing a lion training a wild boar. Signed Fratin on the terrace at the front. Bears the mark of the founder Quesnel and the date 1836 on the back. Beautiful patina, expressive and well-detailed sculpture. Very good condition.*Christophe FRATIN (1801-1864) began his apprenticeship in Metz, his hometown. A pupil of the painter Géricault, he settled in Paris where he had a brilliant career, regularly participating in the Salon of 1831 until his death. Seen as Barye's rival at the Salon of 1831, Fratin devoted himself to animal subjects *Edouard Quesnel was among the most important French founders of the first two-thirds of the 19th century. In 1826, founder Louis Richard and chaser-founder Edouard Quesnel joined forces to create a factory specializing in the creation of furniture bronzes, clocks, and artistic bronzes. The company was dissolved in 1836. Quesnel continued his activity and set up his workshop at 22, rue des Amandiers-Popincourt. The trademark Quesnel et Cie appeared in 1844, and at that time the founder worked on publishing works by Pradier and Duret. The revolution of 1848 ruined him, and his son took over the management of the workshop. The Magasin Pittoresque of 1858 still lists the Quesnel company among the leading modern founders.