After Antoine-Denis Chaudet patinated bronze figure of Cupid, 'L'Amour au Papillion'

Second half 19th century, apparently unmarked, depicted kneeling to offer a rose to a butterfly, on a rectangular Rouge Griotte marble-veneered base, inset with a relief of frolicking putti, on foliate-scroll headed paw feet. Note: Antoine-Denis Chaudet (1760-1810, French). Chaudet first exhibited this model of 'L'Amour' in plaster at the Salon of 1802 but died before he could realize a version in marble. His colleague and friend, Pierre Cartellier, went on to complete the marble which was exhibited at the Salon of 1817 and ultimately purchased by the French government. 'L'Amour' was displayed at Versailles and the Grand Trianon and then moved to the Louvre in 1850 where it remains today. Another example of this model, with bun feet to base, was sold Sotheby's London, 3 July 2007, lot 259 (19,200 British Pounds Sterling)