This life-size sculpture by Clovis-Edmon Masson (1838-1913) dates from the late nineteenth / early twentieth century. A sweet little mouse is ready to feast on a walnut (the walnut is real, not sculpted). Signed C. Masson. The base is marble with some chips and wear - refer to photos.
Extract translated from Wikipedia
Clovis-Edmond Masson, born in Paris on March 7, 1838and died in 1913, French animal sculptor. Clovis Masson is a pupil of the French sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye. He specializes in animal representation. He most often uses as material, plaster, wax or bronze. From 1867, he exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon until 1881. He produced more than fifty works until 1909. The city of Nîmes has several sculptures by the artist in its municipal museum. The Equestrian Statue of the King of Siam At the beginning of the year 1907, King Chulalongkorn of Thailand, known as Rama V, decided to erect a monument to his glory in a vast empty esplanade on which the parliament would soon stand (which would not be completed until 1915). Rama V embarked for Europe in 1907. Chulalongkorn had, from the start, the idea of erecting an equestrian statue. His visit to the Palace of Versailles in the spring of 1907 convinced him. Like that of Louis XIV, whose statue sits in the main courtyard of the castle, Rama V would also mark Bangkokof his footprint with his equestrian statue. It is therefore in France that Rama V had his statue made. In mid-June 1907, the Thai sovereign posed for the sculptor Georges Saulo in the foundry workshops of the Susse brothers, boulevard de la Madeleine in Paris, while the sculptor Clovis Masson made the horse intended to receive the statue of the king.
Condition and wear consistent with age and use.
Approx. overall 3¼" high x 2¼" wide x 4"
Approx. overall 8cm high x 6cm wide x 10cm
