Pair of bronze groups of putti, late 18th century

This pair of bronzes comprises two complementary compositions featuring putti. The first group depicts two putti vying for a heart, while the second shows two putti with a garland of flowers. Together, they form a pair centered on allegorical themes of love and union.

The group depicting two putti fighting over a heart is based on a model generally attributed to Étienne-Maurice Falconet, an artist whose work brought a rare sensitivity to the depiction of children, though some scholars have also linked it to Jean-Baptiste Pigalle.

These compositions belong to the French artistic output of the second half of the 18th century, a period when depictions of children inspired by Antiquity enjoyed great popularity in the decorative arts. Their natural poses, lively gestures, and supple yet precise modeling exemplify the late Rococo aesthetic.

The bronzes feature a fine, aged greenish-brown patina that highlights the quality of both the casting and the chasing.

Created in France in the late 18th century, this pair is a fine example of how models by major sculptors were adapted for ornamental bronzes, a medium in which allegorical subjects and scenes featuring putti played a significant role.

French work, late 18th century, after a model attributed to Étienne-Maurice Falconet (1716–1791) or Jean-Baptiste Pigalle.

Height approximately 47 cm x Diameter approximately 35 cm