After François GIRARDON (Troyes, 1628 - Paris,... Lot 49

After François GIRARDON (Troyes, 1628 - Paris, 1715) Bust of Louis XIV. Patinated wax. On the back: "Girardon, 1699". Height : 34 cm (Accents and small chips). This bust, probably dating from the 19th century, is based on the monumental equestrian statue of Louis XIV cast in 1692, erected in 1699 on the Place Louis-le-Grand (now Place Vendôme) and destroyed in 1792. The Louvre preserves a small-scale model of the statue, which became very popular in the 19th century and was published many times. Wax has been used in the decorative arts since the Middle Ages. Not only is it easy to model and cast, it also renders the finest details. Antoine Benoist (1632-1717) gave it its letters of nobility in the 17th and 18th centuries. Due to the extreme fragility of the material, few examples have survived to this day. Our bust, an early edition with a superb patina, can therefore be considered extremely rare.