Gilded Bronze Trinket Dish With Dragonflies, Signed Louis-théophile Hingre (1832–1911), Art Nouveau

Large trinket dish featuring a bas-relief depiction of a beautiful waterside scene with dragonflies, butterflies, and flowers. Very fine craftsmanship. Signed in the upper right corner “T. Hingre” for Louis-Théophile Hingre (1832–1911); see description below. Note: slight soiling and a firing flaw on the back.

Art Nouveau period, circa 1900.

Dimensions: H 21 x W 19.3 x D 1.5 cm

Louis-Théophile Hingre (1832–1911)
Born and diedin Écouen between 1832 and 1911, was a French sculptor, modeler, and engraver.He is best known for his animal sculptures as well as for his worksin decorative art.
From a young age, he trained in Paris and worked instudios specializing in the production of bronzes, before moving toEngland in 1858. There, he joined the Elkington silverware firm inBirmingham, where he deepened his interest in animal sculpture.

Upon his returnto France in 1869, Hingre regularly exhibited at the Salon des ArtistesFrançais. His sculptures include depictions of horses, sheep,birds, and other farm animals. His work is distinguished bya meticulous observation of the animals’ postures and movements, combined withgreat skill in modeling.

At the same time,Hingre also explores the field of decorative arts, producingbas-reliefs, medallions, bronze objects, as well as models forgoldsmithing. He was honored with several official distinctions, including thetitle of Officer of the Academy in 1899 and that of Officer of Public Instructionin 1908.