Cupid Riding an Elephant – Ary Bitter (1883–1972).

Rare bronze sculpture by Ary Bitter (1883–1972), cast by the Susse Frères foundry, depicting a putto riding an elephant. The animal is shown in motion, imposing yet graceful, with a brown patina tinged with green. The putto is seated on an animal skin, both finished with a golden-brown patina.

The bronze rests on its original solid wood base.

Signed “Ary Bitter” on the base, with the inscriptions “Cire Perdue” (lost-wax casting) and “Susse Frères Editions Paris”.

Ary Bitter was born on May 29, 1883, in Marseille.

He studied under Jules Coutant. His works were exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français between 1910 and 1939.

He received an honorable mention in 1910, a bronze medal in 1913, a silver medal in 1921, and another medal in 1924.

Exempt from competition and appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1932, he was awarded another gold medal at the 1937 International Exhibition.

Among his notable works are the two monumental lion sculptures flanking the staircase of the Saint-Charles railway station in Marseille.

The Susse Frères Foundry, established in Paris in 1837, is one of the oldest French art foundries. Renowned for its exceptional expertise in lost-wax bronze casting, it collaborated with numerous sculptors and contributed to the dissemination of masterpieces of French sculpture. Its prestigious foundry mark is a guarantee of quality and authenticity.