19th-Century Patinated Bronze Sculpture of a Child Holding a Birdcage Based on a Design by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, France

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19th-century patinated bronze sculpture of a child holding a birdcage based on a design by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, France

By: Jean-Baptiste … Read more 19th-century patinated bronze sculpture of a child holding a birdcage based on a design by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, France

By: Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (in the style of)
Material: bronze, copper, tin, metal, stone, marble, wood
Technique: cast, molded, patinated, polished, metalwork, varnished
Dimensions: 8 in x 10 in
Date: 19th century
Style: Rococo Revival, Neoclassicism
Place of origin: France

A finely cast 19th-century French bronze sculpture depicting a seated child, possibly a putto, holding a birdcage. Inspired by a design by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, a prominent sculptor of 18th-century France, whose work bridged Baroque dynamism with Neoclassical restraint, the figure’s posture, softened contours, and expressive gesture reflect a Rococo sensibility, while the structural elegance of the cage and the polished finish suggest a transition toward Neoclassicism. The sculpture rests on a double-tiered circular base: the upper section in smooth white marble, subtly veined and cool-toned, the lower in rich, dark-stained wood with a soft varnish, adding visual weight and balance. Patinated to a deep, warm brown, the surface reveals a refined treatment of textures—from the fleshy modeling of the child to the stylized foliage and vegetal motifs under it. See less