Antoine Bayre bronze panther and hare

A massive French green patinated bronze animalier group: Panthère dévorant un lièvre
after the model by Antoine Louis Bayre (1796-1875)
Susse Freres foundry, Paris
late 19th century
Incised BAYRE, SUSSE Fre / Frs Edrs / Paris and with foundry pastille.
height 16in (40.5cm); length 39in (99cm); depth 15in (38cm)
Provenance:
With M.S. Rau Antiques, New Orleans, Louisiana, 8 January 2004.
Property from the Collection of Daniel Hornbeck, Los Angeles, California.

Literature:
M. Poletti & A. Richarme, Barye Catalogue Raisonné des Sculptures, Paris, p. 236, no. A96

Footnote:
Conceived in 1849, produced and exhibited in 1850, the near life-size plaster version of Jaguar et lièvre, the initial title for Panthère dévorant un lièvre, marked Barye's return to the Salon after some fifteen years absence. A bronze cast, commissioned by the minister for the Interior the following year, was shown at the 1852 Salon and has been in the collection of the Louvre, Paris, since 1886.
Condition Report: With an overall dark green/brown patina overall. General marks, scratches, rubbing and wear.