"Marly Horses" after Coustou

An excellent pair of mid 19th Century French bronze ‘Marly Horses’ after Guillaume Coustou – the sculptures with fine rich brown variegated patination lightly rubbed to a golden brown standing on integral shaped naturalistic bases, signed Coustou ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 38 cm Width: 35 cm Depth: 14 cm Condition: Lightly Worn Original Condition Circa: 1880 Materials: Patinated Bronze SKU: 9682 ABOUT Guillaume Coustou (1677–1746) – The Marly Horses Guillaume Coustou was one of the most accomplished French sculptors of the 18th century, best remembered for his magnificent Marly Horses, commissioned by King Louis XV and completed in 1745. These dramatic sculptures, depicting powerful rearing horses being restrained by their grooms, are widely regarded as masterpieces of French sculpture, admired for their remarkable sense of movement, strength and realism. Such was their importance and popularity that the Marly Horses became a favourite subject for bronze founders throughout Europe. During the 19th and 20th centuries, many respected French and Italian foundries produced beautifully detailed bronze reductions of these celebrated works, often in a variety of sizes and finishes. For well over a century, these impressive bronzes have been prized by collectors, demonstrating the appeal of Coustou's original masterpieces and their important place in the history of European sculpture.