This exceptional bronze sculpture, titled "The Chinese Pheasant" (also known as the Great Golden Pheasant), is a masterful creation by Anne-Marie Profillet (1898-1939), a prominent figure in Art Deco animalier sculpture. The artist captures the bird's essence through minimalist lines and a stylization that remains profoundly modern. The pheasant's noble stance and the fluid drape of its plumage imbue the piece with both a hieratic grace and a sense of silent movement.
The execution is of the highest caliber, cast using the lost-wax (cire perdue) process by the world-renowned Susse Frères foundry in Paris. This meticulous technique ensures a perfect rendering of the artist's vision and exquisite surface detail. The sculpture features a transparent black patina with subtle green undertones, enhancing the mirror-like smoothness of the bronze surfaces.
Signed "Profillet" on the base and bearing the Susse Frères foundry mark, this work is a testament to the sophisticated aesthetics of early 20th-century decorative arts. Its sleek silhouette and impeccable finish make it a rare collector's item, showcasing the brilliance of a female sculptor whose career was tragically short, yet whose legacy remains highly coveted by international connoisseurs.