Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892)

Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892),
A gilt-bronze model of The Warwick Vase, late 19th century, impressed 'Delafontaine', with a gilt metal liner,
23cm high

The foundry was established in Paris in the late eighteenth century by Jean-Baptiste-Maximilien Delafontaine and, by 1870, is listed as being located at 10 rue de l'Université.

The Delafontaine foundry produced decorative works of high quality and was one of the most renowned of all the Parisian foundries. The main competitor to the Barbedienne foundry, they cast works by some of the leading sculptors of the nineteenth century, including Antoine-Louis Bayre and Mathurin Moreau. Works by Delafontaine remain in the collection of the Louvre and other leading museums.

Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine, 1813-1892, was the grandson of the founder and was succeeded by his son Henri-Maximilien in 1884. The foundry closed its doors in 1905.