Cristophe Fratin (1800-1864), a patinated bronze model of a 'Literary Bear', the anthropomorphic bear portrayed seated in an armchair, reading and holding a pipe, with stamp FRATIN to base with 'N' in reverse, and with further inscription Fratin to the maquette, approximately 17cm high Provenance: British Private Collection Acquired by the present vendor at Sotheby's London, Nineteenth Century Decorative Works of Art and Furniture, 23 June 1983, lot 151 Fratin's distinctive style isn't as much about minute anatomical detail as it is about evoking a subject with sharp modelling and, not unimportantly, a sense of humour. While the sculptor created several monumental commissions during his lifetime (such as the large group of Eagles and their prey in New York's Central Park) he is most renowned for his small-scale depictions of anthropomorphic bears and monkeys, which defied the more formal conventions of sculpture at the time. Around fifty models of anthropomorphic bears engaged in a range of activities by Fratin are known, and this bronze is a great example of Fratin's witty subject matter. A cast of this model was sold at Christie's South Kensington, 27 March 2007, lot 194 (£4,320)