Charles Anfrie (1833-1905) French, "Estafette" (Courier), signed and inscribed Salon des Beaux Arts, 1888 bronze, 24½" tall.
Statue commemorating the Franco Prussian War of 1870-1871, where over 750,000 Frenchmen were killed, wounded or captured. Depicted is a defiant, patriotic courier of the 3rd Brigade Dragoons about to deliver some bad news. Perhaps his satchel contains a copy of the Treaty of Versailles, ending the war in favor of the Germans.
Little is known about Charles Anfrie, but he exhibited at the Salon between 1883 and 1895. He exhibited a plaster model of this statue in 1888. He was known primarily for French military subjects and children.
There are at least three versions of this statue, of which this is the tallest. Other versions are 16½" (42cm) and 8½" (22cm). This is the only version marked "Salon des Beaux Arts, 1888".
France c. 1888
7½" long x 6" wide x 24½" tall
SOLD
Original sword is missing.