A FRENCH BRONZE GROUP ENTITLED 'INDIEN MONTE SUR UN ELEPHANT ECRASANT UN TIGRE'

Indian Mounted on an Elephant Crushing a Tiger was modelled by Barye in 1845. It is drawn from Barye's earlier group, The Tigre Hunt which was a more complex composition with four figures atop the elephant and two tigers. The Tigre Hunt was modelled in 1834-36 as part of a large table centrepiece, or surtout de table, for the Duke of Orléans (op. cit., no. CS81, pp. 432-433).

This rare bronze was first edited by Barye during his lifetime in partnership with Émile Martin (1845-1857), and then by Atelier de Barye (Barye's own foundry) until his death. Martin's accounts indicate they made four casts, and it is estimated that thirty were produced during Barye's lifetime. The model was bought by Brame at the vente Barye in 1876 (n°670) but posthumous casts are thought to be limited. Other examples are in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, and the Louvre.

The subject was further reworked later by Bayre, with the complete removal of the rider, and titled Elephant Crushing a tiger.