A Large Cast Iron Fountain Figure of a Water Nymph, By J.J. Ducel, Paris

Signed ‘ ‘J.-J.DUCEL’.

Modelled seated on a rock as if dipping a toe into the water. Holding a conch shell on her left shoulder which is fitted with a water spout.

On a white marble pedestal.

France, Circa 1860.

The statue:
Height : 126 cm | 50 inches
Width : 62 cm | 24 inches
Depth : 65 cm | 26 inches

The Pedestal:
Height : 34 cm | 13 inches
Width : 64 cm | 25 inches
Depth : 64 cm | 25 inches

The Ducel Foundry was started in 1810 and was one of the largest cast iron producers along with Andre and Barbezat & Cie,

The company had premises in Avenue de Forges in Paris and a foundry in Pocé. The firm exhibited at many of the great international exhibitions of the period including the Exposition Universelle de 1867 in Paris where they were received to great acclaim.

Many of the sculptures and ornamental works produced by the firm found favour with newly empowered civic authorities and today many of their best works survive in open public spaces across France.

The foundry stopped production in 1878 after the death of Monsieur Jacques Ducel when all the moulds and patterns were sold to the Val d’ Osne foundry.

Literature:
Renard, J. C. L’âge de la Fonte – un art, une industrie 1800-1914.