Antique French Polish Gilt Bronze Statue Sculpture Figure Sword Bladesmith By Henryk II Kossowski 1890

A fine antique French gilt bronze sculpture of a swordsmith, by the French- Polish artist & sculptor Henryk II Kossowski (1855-1921), the bronze dating to 1890.
The bronze depicts a sword or bladesmith, solding out his sword & viewing his work, evidently enamoured of his own skill & having a slightly conceited expression of satisfaction. The figure is dressed in 18th century attire, wearing a tunic, breeches and stockings, with buckled shoes on his feet.
The bronze is signed "Kossowski", with the foundry stamp of "Siot Paris", Siot-Decauville foundry was founded in Paris in 1881 & closed in 1926, they were regarded as a very skilled and exclusive casting foundry. The bronze is raised on the original green alabaster socle shaped plinth. Condition is excellent.

Henryk was a Polish born sculptor who moved to, and lived most of his life in Paris. He preferred the Avant Garde feeling that his contemporaries created during this period (1880-1920) Camille Claudel, August Rodin, and Alfred Boucher would have encountered Kossowskis work. Paris was a very exciting scene in these years, and Kossowski was quite prolific. His pieces are collected all over the world today, and his sculptures usually depict Greek or Roman mythology, or genre scenes of everyday life. 
This bronze was titled in French "L'ARMURIER" and as is typical with works founded by Siot Decauville during the last quarter of the 19th Century, this fine gilt bronze sculpture is exceptionally cast and detailed. This work was cast in 1890 in two sizes, both in brown and gilded patinas.  This particular work is featured in "Bronzes: Sculptors and Founders, Vol. II" on page 379, where it is identified as "L'Armurier" or "The Arm's Maker".  

Imperial

14 inches high × 6.5 inches wide × 8.5 inches deep

Metric

high × wide x deep

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