Hébé, By Edouard Drouot, Circa 1900

Very beautiful antique bronze with double patina (gold and brown), representing Hebe and the eagle which symbolizes the god Jupiter. Hebe is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. She is represented holding a cup in order to offer nectar and ambrosia to the eagle of Zeus. The eagle's eyes are encrusted with 2 turquoise stones. The sculpture is signed on the back of the base. The base is raised on a stepped base which bears, on the front, a title plaque inscribed HÉBÉ Par E. Drouot (Hors Concours). The sculpture is 77cm high. Circa 1900. Edouard Drouot was born in Sommevoire in 1859 and studied in Paris with Mathurin Moreau. He began exhibiting at the 1889 Salon, winning a third-class medal at the 1892 Salon and an honorable mention at the 1900 Universal Exhibition. He specialized in allegorical and mythological figures such as the current bronze. Related literature: P. Kjellberg Les Bronzes Du XIX Siècle, pages 291-294.