19th Century French Hand Carved Marble Eagle with Glass Eyes

$1,900

About

Decorate a shelf or a man’s office desk with this stately antique marble eagle. Created in France circa 1870, and carved of variegated marble, the tall sculpture depicts a proud bird standing on a rectangular rocky base with his head turned. The avian sculpture dressed with glass eyes, features wonderful detailed carvings especially through the plumage and talons. The large sculpture is in excellent condition with a beautiful patinated finish and different shades of grey and beige marble; the bird is further embellished with a black beak and claws. The French Imperial Eagle (Aigle de drapeau, lit. “flag eagle”) refers to the figure of an eagle on a staff carried into battle as a standard by the Grande Armée of Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars. Although they were presented with regimental colors, Napoleon’s regiments tended to carry at their head the Imperial Eagle. The eagle signifies inspiration, release from bondage, victory, longevity, speed, pride, father and royalty; it is often an emblem for powerful nations. The Roman, French, Austrian, German, and American peoples have all adopted this image as their symbol. 6″W x 7″D x 20″H

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