LOT 163 †

A fine aeronautical bronze deskpiece sculpture by Paul Moreau-Vauther, inspired by the 1908 "Michelin Cup" aviation contest trophy,

Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500

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Lot 163^†

A fine aeronautical bronze deskpiece sculpture by Paul Moreau-Vauther, inspired by the 1908 "Michelin Cup" aviation contest trophy,

The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale: Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia|5 July 2019, 11:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

A fine aeronautical bronze deskpiece sculpture by Paul Moreau-Vauther, inspired by the 1908 "Michelin Cup" aviation contest trophy,

cast patinated bronze sculpture depicting an early aviator climbing onto the mythical winged horse Pegasus taking off from a terrestrial hemisphere globe escaping the clutches of a female allegorical figure symbolising the earth's pull of gravity, with clearly inscribed sculptor's signature to rear of base and further inscribed 'fonte sur platre', with Susse Freres of Paris foundry stamps and signature around the base, the globe with inscription in French "L'Homme enfourchant sa Machine Volante échappe à l'Attraction de la terre" ("Man riding his flying machine escapes the attraction of the earth"), the bronze mounted on original green/black marble base which bears brass plaque engraved in French "à M.A.Lebreton - Stockiste du Pneus Michelin - En souvenir de 32 ans - de fidele collaboration 1898-1930" ("to M.A.Lebreton - Stockist of Michelin Tyres - a souvenir of 32 years of loyal collaboration"), the sculpture standing 28.5cm overall.

Footnotes

It is believed that larger exhibition size Michelin Trophies, from which this bronze is inspired, were presented to important Pioneer aviators and aviation companies for notable achievements in the air, with smaller presentation bronze sculptures such as the example offered here, of which it is suggested that only 100 examples were produced by the Susse Freres foundry, were presented as personal copies for individual pilots, designers or important Michelin dealerships.

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