Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. Souvenir Statue Of Liberty, 1878 Paris World's Fair

Bartholdi — Statue of Liberty Souvenir Bust — Cast by Avoiron & Cie — 1878 World’s Fair

Circa 1878.

Description:

Rare patinated bronze/metal bust depicting the head of the Statue of Liberty, a souvenir from the 1878 Paris World’s Fair, on a black marble base.

Cast inscription on the right shoulder: “Souvenir of the 1878 Exposition — Statue of Liberty — Bartholdi — Copyright August 30, 1876.”
Foundry mark on the left shoulder: “Avoiron & Cie, Paris.”

The Avoiron & Cie foundry (founded in 1844) was the only firm to have secured a direct contract with Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (1834–1904) for the mass production of his monumental work, intended for sale to the public during the 1878 World’s Fair, where the life-size head of the statue was exhibited in the Trocadéro Gardens. This partnership continued until 1886, when Bartholdi terminated the contract.

Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 8 cm

Material: Bronze-patinated metal, black marble base

Condition: Excellent condition (Very rare),

Provenance: Paris World’s Fair, 1878 — Private collection

Bibliography:

• Charles M. Blanc, The Fine Arts at the 1878 World’s Fair, Paris, 1878, pp. 21 and 175
• Official catalog published by the General Commission, Volume I, Group I, Works of Art, Paris, 1878, p. 83
• Horst W. Janson, 19th-Century Sculpture, New York, 1985, pp. 179–181