Bengal Tiger Licking Its Paw by Giacomo Merculiano

This bronze sculpture with a red-brown patina is a remarkable work by the Italian artist Giacomo Merculiano. Depicting a Bengal tiger in a posture of rare intimacy, the piece captures the animal licking its paw, a moment of calm that favors naturalistic study over the usual theatricality of XXth-century animalier art. The anatomical mastery is evident here, highlighting the contained power of the musculature under a surface treated with an almost Impressionistic vibration.

The technical excellence of this piece is guaranteed by its lost wax (cire perdue) casting method, produced by the famous Parisian foundry Le Blanc-Barbedienne et Fils. The precision of the casting allows for the reproduction of every nuance of the original modeling, while the rich and nuanced patina enhances the animal's imposing volumes. Measuring 56 cm in height and 58 cm in width, this sculpture commands attention through its physical presence while maintaining the delicacy of execution characteristic of the period's finest art casts.

The work bears the artist's signature on the base as well as the foundry stamp, ensuring its authenticity and prestigious provenance. For the discerning collector, this tiger represents a rare opportunity to acquire a piece that combines Merculiano's transalpine sensitivity with French artisanal perfection. The state of conservation is excellent, preserving the integrity of the original patina and the expressive force of the animal's gaze and movement.