Christophe Fratin - Cigar Holder Palm Tree, Bronze Torch With Monkeys, Napoleon III Period

Rare torch representing a palm tree, with on the base three compartments to rest the cigars surrounded by stylized leaves. Richly decorated work with two monkeys climbing on the central trunk and three monkeys on the base in different processes of cigar making (one rolling the leaves, the other sorting them and the third putting them in boxes). A third monkey represented with human features is at the top of the palm tree and is removable, it forms the cap of the torch. It is dressed in a hat and seems to watch over the other monkeys. This torch rests on a scalloped base bearing the signature of the artist "FRATIN" and the foundry stamp "A DAUBREE EDITEUR". Alfred Daubrée was a sculptor, publisher of bronzes, born in Nancy in 1817, he died in Paris in 1885. He published a certain number of bronzes by Fratin, Cumberworth during the 19th century. At the 1867 World's Fair, he was cited among the renowned founders of the time. His son succeeded him after his death in 1885. Fratin was a famous sculptor who presented his works at various exhibitions such as the Exhibition of the Society of Friends of the Arts in Bordeaux, the World's Fair in Metz under the patronage of the Empress in 1861, or the World's Fair in 1862 in London. There are several versions of our torch with no subject at the top or another type of character. Bibliography: For a related work, see Michel Poletti and Alain Richarme, Fratin: Decorative Objects & Romantic Sculptures, Paris, 2000, cat. under no. 13, p. 23