This is a truly wonderful orientalist bronze entitled Cavalier Arabe Guettant.  It depicts an arabic hunter on horseback and is of magnificent quality.  Standing 50cm tall, 47cm wide & 18cm deep, this impressive large work of art weighs a very heavy 16kg.  This model was originally sculpted and cast by Ferdinand Pautrot however although it bears his signature this is a later re imagining and not an original Pautrot work.  The original of this bronze was sold at an auction in Paris in 2008 for €7,500, this is an economical way of owning this wonderful and interesting bronze for a fraction of the cost of an antique original.  This genuine hot cast bronze is very finely detailed and has a lovely rich patina.

Ferdinand Pautrot (1832 - 1874) was born in Poitiers, France.  Very little is known about this highly competent & versatile French sculptor.  His first recorded exhibit was at the Salon in Paris in 1861 with three entries.  He continued to exhibit at the Salon until 1870.  His works consist of mostly hunting dogs, birds, and a few horses and wild animals.  He was also known for his occasional orientalist sculpture such as this one.  Pautrot's works are highly detailed and accurate in the portrayal of his subjects.