Bronze Kestrel from François Pompon, France, 1930s

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France / 1930 / Bronze signed by Francois Pompon / bronze and marble / Art Deco

This striking bronze sculpture … Read more France / 1930 / Bronze signed by Francois Pompon / bronze and marble / Art Deco

This striking bronze sculpture of a kestrel, signed by renowned French animalier François Pompon, is a quintessential example of his modernist approach to wildlife representation. Created circa 1930, the piece distills the essence of the bird into pure form; elegant, poised, and timeless, capturing both the spirit of the animal and the stylistic clarity of the Art Deco era.

This cast bronze with a soft patinated finish was mounted on a black marble base with a vertical slab accent, an L-shaped composition that adds architectural tension and visual depth. The bird is rendered in Pompon’s signature style: smooth, stylized contours, devoid of superfluous detail, yet unmistakably lifelike in posture and presence. The marble features a dramatic white vein, providing a natural counterpoint to the bronze’s warmth and reinforcing the sculpture’s geometric harmony.

The pedestal bears the engraved signature François Pompon, affirming its authenticity and linking it directly to one of France’s most celebrated sculptors of the interwar period. Pompon’s work is held in major museum collections, including the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, and is prized by collectors for its serene power and sculptural purity.

Pompon (1855–1933) rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s with his radically simplified animal forms, which broke with the naturalistic tradition and anticipated the abstraction of mid-century modernism. This kestrel exemplifies his philosophy: to evoke the soul of the creature through line and mass rather than anatomical precision.

The Art Deco movement, with its emphasis on stylization, geometry, and luxury materials, provided fertile ground for Pompon’s vision. This piece reflects that synergy, combining organic grace with architectural rigor, and natural subject matter with urbane sophistication.

Excellent original condition. The bronze shows a uniform patina with subtle tonal variation; the marble base is intact with minor edge wear consistent with age. No restorations or structural issues. The signature is crisp and legible. This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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