Bronze Bust Of King Francis I Of France By Paul Melin, In The Renaissance "salamander" Style

A bronze statuette with a dark antique green patina depicting King Francis I, a friend and patron of Leonardo da Vinci.
Sculpted by Paul Melin*, our example is unsigned, but an identical bust in white marble was sold at Piasa in Paris (sold for €1,300).
This sculpture depicts the king in an unadorned, smiling pose; our example has minor imperfections in the patina and a small dent in a corner at the back. 
*Paul Melin (or Mélin) was a French sculptor active in the 19th century, known for his marble and bronze sculptures in the academic and classical styles.
Notable works and awards:
Narcissus: a remarkable marble statue by Paul Melin (exhibited under lot number 3330), for which he received a third-class medal and a travel grant.
Adam and Eve Expelled from Paradise: a large marble sculpture (approximately 190 cm tall) depicting Adam and Eve, offered at art and antiques auctions and estimated at between 6,000 and 9,000€.
Bust of Francis I featuring a smiling face with a mischievous gaze; the piece was acquired by the City of Le Havre in 1925. The original lost-wax bronze was exhibited in 1914 at the Salon of the Société des Artistes Français. Note: A dentate bust is housed at the Laval Museum. It is dated 1912
Teaching Studio: He directed a sculpture studio in Paris where students, such as the architect and sculptor Abraham Lucien Fernandez-Patto, trained in modeling.
Shipping by chronopost or colissimo for :
France 30€
Europe 60€
Others 100€