A pair of cast iron sculptures, the Boar and the Fox by J.J. Ducel, Paris 1850
Description
A set of cast iron sculptures; the Calydonian boar, after the baroque design of Pietro Tacca in Firenze il Porcelino, and the Teumessian fox. Both cast and stamped by J.J.Ducel Paris ± 1850. Engravings of these models appear in the Val d’osne catalogue, having purchased the Ducel collection in 1876.
The original bronze statue of the Calydonian boar was cast by the Baroque master Pietro Tacca (1577-1640) from a Hellenistic marble original now on display at the Ufizzi Museum in Florence, Italy. The bronze is now on display in the Museo Bardini, Palazzo Mozzi. Traditionally, the boar was given coins for good luck and rubbing its snout ensured a return to Florence.
The boar sculpture is based on the ‘Calydonian boar’ from Greek mythology. THE HUS KALYDONIOS (Calydonian boar) was a gigantic boar sent by Artemis to ravage the countryside of Kalydon (Calydon) to punish King Oineus (Oeneus) for neglecting her in offering the first fruits to the gods. The king called on heroes from all over Greece to hunt the beast.
dimensions: 67 x 40 x 55 cm
The fox sculpture is based on the ‘Teumessian fox’ from Greek mythology. ALOPEX TEUMESIOS (Teumessian Fox) was a gigantic fox sent by one of the gods, probably Dionysius, to destroy the city of Thebes as punishment for some crime. It was said that the fox was so fast that it could always avoid its pursuers.
dimensions:67 x 40 x 50 cm
