Allegory Of Night With An Owl – Bronze With A Brown Patina, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century

A bronze sculpture with a brown patina depicting a young woman reclining on an ornate Neo-Renaissance-style bench, accompanied by an owl perched at her feet.

The female figure, her head slightly tilted and resting on her hand, adopts a pensive and languid pose. Her long hair, held back by a headband adorned with roses, falls over her shoulders. She delicately holds a bouquet of flowers in her right hand, while a generously draped fabric partially envelops her body.

At her feet, a small owl with its wings slightly spread evokes the nocturnal world and allows this composition to be interpreted as an allegory of Night.

The sculpture is distinguished by the delicacy of the facial modeling, the supple rendering of the drapery, and the care taken with the various decorative elements.

The young woman rests on a richly crafted bench, adorned with masks, foliage, turned legs, and a beaded frieze. The ensemble is set on an oval terrace decorated with plant and geometric motifs.

A hollow bronze casting featuring a nuanced brown patina, with lighter highlights on the protruding parts.

Given its elongated composition and the configuration of its base, this sculpture most likely served as the crowning element of a large mantel clock, from which it has since been separated.

French work from the second half of the 19th century, the Napoleon III era.

In good overall condition, with wear and variations in the patina due to its age.

Shipping: 30 euros within France, 80 euros within the EU, and 150 euros to the rest of the world.