Christophe Fratin - Cigar holder palm tree, torch with monkey, Napoleon III

A rare torch representing a palm tree, with three compartments on the base for holding cigars surrounded by stylised leaves. Richly decorated with two monkeys climbing the central trunk and three monkeys on the base engaged in different stages of cigar production (one rolling the leaves, another sorting them and the third putting them into boxes). A third monkey with human features is depicted at the top of the palm tree and is removable, forming the torch's cap. It is wearing a hat and appears to be watching over the other monkeys. This torch rests on a scalloped base bearing the artist's signature ‘FRATIN’ and the foundry stamp ‘A DAUBREE EDITEUR’. Alfred Daubrée was a sculptor and bronze publisher, born in Nancy in 1817 and died in Paris in 1885. He published a number of bronzes by Fratin and Cumberworth during the 19th century. At the 1867 Universal Exhibition, he was cited among the renowned founders of the time. His son succeeded him after his death in 1885.

Fratin was a famous sculptor who presented his works at various exhibitions such as the Exhibition of the Society of Friends of the Arts in Bordeaux, the Universal Exhibition in Metz under the patronage of the Empress in 1861, and the Universal Exhibition in London in 1862.

There are several versions of our torch with no subject at the top or with a different type of figure.

Bibliographie : Pour une œuvre en rapport, cf. Michel Poletti et Alain Richarme, Fratin: Objets décoratifs & Sculptures romantiques, Paris, 2000, cat. sous le n° 13, p. 23