Catalogue

Paul Dubois (1829–1905)
“Le Courage Militaire” (Military Courage)
France, circa 1880
Patinated bronze, signed “F. Barbedienne, Fondeur”
Height: 38 cm

This exceptional bronze, cast by the renowned Barbedienne Foundry, represents “Le Courage Militaire” (Military Courage) — one of the four allegorical figures created by Paul Dubois for the cenotaph of General Juchault de La Moricière in the Cathedral of Nantes.

Depicted as a seated Roman warrior, the figure embodies noble restraint and strength through a masterful synthesis of naturalism and classical idealization. The serene dignity of the soldier’s pose and the finely rendered drapery are hallmarks of Dubois’s distinctive “Neo-Florentine” style, blending Renaissance influence with French academic sculpture of the 19th century.

Paul Dubois, both a sculptor and painter, studied in Rome and gained prominence with his Saint John the Baptist (1861), exhibited at the Paris Salon. His refined, spiritual approach to allegorical subjects earned him widespread acclaim, including médaille d’honneur at the Salon des Beaux-Arts in 1865 and 1876.

Dubois’s works — including Military Courage, Faith, Charity, and Meditation — are represented in leading French institutions such as the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Camille Claudel in Nogent-sur-Seine

Starting price: 2000€
Estimate: 2500-3000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€

Russian silver and guilloche enamel snuff box. G. Wigstrem workshop. Petersburg, 1908-1917. Dimensions: 40 x 11 mm.

Starting price: 200€
Estimate: 500-600€

A Russian commemorative cast silver ashtray “Squadron Battleship Nikolay I”. Russian battleship Emperor Nikolay I or “IKI” was a flagship of the 3rd Pacific Squadron during famous Tsusima battle. Marked Morozov in cyrillic with Imperial Warrant. Makers mark of Eduard Kourtman. Petersburg, 1899-1908. Dimensions: 8.4 x 12 x 1 cm. 175.2 cm.

Starting price: 3000€
Estimate: 3500-5000€

An impressive Faberge silver-gilt cigar box with a double lid. Moscow, 1908-1917. Scratched inventory number 210?. Weight: 1547 g. Dimension: 11.3 x 22 x 15.2 cm.

Starting price: 30000€
Estimate: 35000-40000€

Émile Louis Picault (1833–1915)
The Fencer (Le Tireur)
France, late 19th century
Patinated bronze, signed “E. Picault”
Height: 72 cm

An exceptional bronze sculpture by Émile Louis Picault, one of France’s most prolific and celebrated 19th-century sculptors. The Fencer (Le Tireur) depicts a duelist captured in a moment of poised triumph, raising his sword aloft in salute or victory. The figure’s dynamic anatomy, tense musculature, and richly modeled costume reflect Picault’s masterful balance between Neoclassical idealism and the Romantic fascination with heroism and individuality.

The bronze is finished in a deep brown patina with superb surface detailing. Foundry marks confirm its 19th-century origin. This composition belongs to Picault’s series of martial and allegorical works, which celebrate discipline, courage, and the dignity of human effort — recurring themes throughout his oeuvre.

Émile Louis Picault studied under Louis Royer and exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon from 1863 to 1909. His works, numbering over five hundred models, are represented in museum collections including Chambéry, Clermont-Ferrand, Maubeuge, and Troyes.

Starting price: 1500€
Estimate: 2000-2500€
Hammer Price: Not sold

Russian Imperial shooting prize in the shape of a kettle-drum with pistols as a base. With engraved of the St. Andrews order, portraits of Russian Emperor Nicholas I, his wife Alexandra Fedorovna and son – prince Alexander Nikolayevich. Engravings made by the original John Dow paintings dates 1826. Silver, Warsaw. 1830s. Master: Karol Malch. Dimensions: 17 x 19 x 10,5 cm. Weight: 388 g.

Starting price: 6000€
Estimate: 7000-9000€