A MONUMENTAL FRENCH CAST-IRON GROUP ENTITLED 'ENFANT A L'OISEAU'

The vast scale and intricate design of the jardins and parterres of Versailles dictated equally opulent and monumental ornaments and statuary. Between 1687 and 1690 Hans Johann-Balthazar Keller vom Steinbock (d. 1702) introduced a series of allegorical designs emblematic of the elements for the Allé d'Eau. The enduring popularity of the designs, including the present model representing 'Air', is evident through the end of the 19th century, as a variety of putto groups were available from Val D'Osne's foundry until at least 1900. Four Groupes de Versailles are illustrated in J. Renard, L' Age de la fonte: un art, une industrie, 1800-1914, Paris, p. 127.
Another example of the present model sold Sotheby's, Amsterdam, 26 May 2010 (72,750 Euros).