A stunning and extremely decorative complete set of four French 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated bronze, Mahogany and ormolu decorative wall plaques signed F. Lavastre 1853. The wonderfully executed patinated bronze plaques depict the four main sculptural groups of... — Read More

A stunning and extremely decorative complete set of four French 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated bronze, Mahogany and ormolu decorative wall plaques signed F. Lavastre 1853. The wonderfully executed patinated bronze plaques depict the four main sculptural groups of the Arc de Triomphe's pillars each set within an elegant Mahogany frame with a fine wrap around beaded ormolu band. The first plaque titled Le Depart de 1792 (also know as La Marseillaise) depicts the cause of the French First Republic with winged liberty wielding a sword above the volunteer soldiers dressed in various finely detailed armor and helmets with spears in their hands and swords at the ready. The second plaque titled Le Triomphe de 1810 depicts the celebration of the Treaty of Schönbrunn with Napoleon at the center draped in a cape holding a sword with the goddess of Victory placing a berried laurel crown on his head. Winged liberty is above holding a staff with Napoleon's French imperial eagle and the initials EF while blowing a trumpet. The third plaque is titled La Resistance and commemorates the French Resistance to the Allied Armies during the War of the Sixth Coalition. A man at the center is draped in a flowing fabric while holding a sword with an elder man clutching his leg while a woman with a baby in her arm is griping his wrist. Above is a man in a cape riding a horse with his head falling back and a winged man above holding a sword. The fourth and final plaque is titled La Paix Note and depicts peace commemorating the Treaty of Paris. A soldier is standing at the center wearing a cape and a helmet holding is sheathed sword in his hands and a lady at one side with a baby in her arms and a young boy with a man working metal at the other side. At the center is a man controlling a rearing bull with a rope amidst wheat, foliate designs, berried laurel branches and oak branches with acorns all below Athena in armor draped in a wonderfully executed cloak while holding a dagger and wearing a helmet.

Le Départ de 1792 (or La Marseillaise), by François Rude. The sculptural group celebrates the cause of the French First Republic during the 10 August uprising. Above the volunteers is the winged personification of Liberty. This group served as a recruitment tool in the early months of World War I and encouraged the French to invest in war loans in 1915-1916. Le Triomphe de 1810, by Jean-Pierre Cortot celebrates the Treaty of Schönbrunn. This group features Napoleon, crowned by the goddess of Victory. La Résistance de 1814, by Antoine Étex commemorates the French Resistance to the Allied Armies during the War of the Sixth Coalition. La Paix de 1815, by Antoine Étex commemorates the Treaty of Paris, concluded in that year. — Read Less