Sealing Stamp With Monkey And Snake Design, 1858 - Emmanuel Frémiet - 1824/1910 - France

An elegant, finely chased bronze seal depicting a crouching monkey, leaning forward in an attentive and almost meditative pose. The remarkably naturalistic modeling of the animal embraces the seal's shaft, while a snake coils around the base, creating a dynamic and symbolic composition. The delicately textured fur testifies to Emmanuel Frémiet's talent and his interest in animal anatomy, a characteristic of his work. The subtle tension between the monkey and the snake lends the object a decorative and narrative dimension. The slender handle is signed "Fremiet" and rests on a hexagonal base adorned with the monogram "GM". The warm brown patina of the bronze highlights the sculpted details and underscores the finesse of the execution. Made in 1858, this seal perfectly illustrates the 19th-century taste for animal subjects, blending technical virtuosity with a sense of movement. A rare piece, at the crossroads of decorative art and animal sculpture.