XIX. Colonne de Juillet, Luxor Obelisk & Colonne Vendome

XIX. Colonne de Juillet, Luxor Obelisk & Colonne Vendome

i.Colonne de Juillet, 26”h.,c 1865, Freres LeBlanc, patinated bronze, Belgian black marble base (pair with Colonne Vendome) ii.Luxor Obelisk, 22”h., c 1870’s, Freres LeBlanc? iii.Colonne Vendome, 26”h.,c 1865, Freres LeBlanc, patinated bronze, Belgian black marble base

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With Parisian souvenir architectural models – the Colonnes Juillet and Vendome, Luxor Obelisk, and Arc de Triomphe – by the mid 19th century, no firm was more prolific than the Parisian Freres LeBlanc.

Models of these Parisian landmarks might be lavishly turned out, including this bronze pair of souvenir architectural models. An 1859 “Annuares et Almanaches du Commerce” lists the Freres LeBlanc’s wares including “coupes, statuettes, colonnes,arcs de triomphe, objets d’art”; while an llustrated advertisement in the 1878“Annuaire du Commerce Diderot” pictures “Ancienne Maison LeBlanc Freres” bronze models.

Models of the Colonne Vendome changed over the course of the 19th century, matching alterations to the monument. Completed in 1810, the Colonne originally featured Napoleon dressed as a Roman caesar, with toga, holding a globe in his left hand. By 1833, this figure had been replaced with one picturing the French Emperor in contemporary military uniform– tricorn hat, etc.. By 1863, the “Little Corporal” had fallen from favor, and was replaced by a version resembling the original figure, though holding a globe in his right hand, as does the figure atop the present model, thus confirming its date.

ii.