Large Bronze of Philopoemen by David d'Angers

A fine quality and exceptionally provenanced large patinated bronze of Philopoemen, by Pierre Jean David d'Angers (1788-1856). Inscribed 'David d'Angers 1837' to reverse. Wounded in battle Philopoemen pulls out the javelin piercing his thigh, his face expressing both pain and determination to fight on. On a siena marble plinth with a presentation plaque inscribed 'Presented to the Sergeants 18th Hussars by Capt M S Wellby on promotion 25th April 1895'. Captain Montagu Sinclair Wellby (1866-1900) was a famous pioneering Victorian explorer, map maker and writer of several books about his travels and exploits. His best known accounts of his intrepid adventures were 'Through Unknown Tibet' and 'Twixt Sirdar and Menelik: an account of a year's expedition from Zeiia to Cairo through unknown Abyssina'. He died on August 4th 1900 in Paardekop, South Africa from wounds sustained in a battle at Mertzicht. By family history the bronze later became a trophy for an equestrian competition.

The original full size white marble statue of Philopoeman can be seen in the Louvre, Paris, with an additional version in the museum in Angers.

H51cm x W22cm x D22.5cm
H20" x W8 3/4" x D8 3/4"

SOLD