£7,500.00
A particularly impressive late 20th-century French lost-wax bronze of Le Lion qui pleure (The Weeping Lion), after Auguste Rodin (1840–1917), cast by the Airaindor foundry and individually numbered 4/8.
A particularly impressive late 20th-century French lost-wax bronze of Le Lion qui pleure (The Weeping Lion), after Auguste Rodin (1840–1917), cast by the Airaindor foundry and individually numbered 4/8.
Based upon Rodin's remarkable composition conceived in 1881, the sculpture depicts a magnificent lion crouched low upon its integral base, its great head bowed towards its forepaws. Rather than portraying the animal conventionally as a symbol of dominance and strength, Rodin created something considerably more poignant — a powerful creature seemingly overcome by grief.
It is this extraordinary contrast between physical strength and emotional vulnerability that makes The Weeping Lion such a compelling sculpture.
The modelling is wonderfully expressive. The heavy mane has been worked in deep, energetic passages, while the powerful shoulders, muscular body and enormous paws emerge from a richly textured surface. Viewed from different angles, the character of the lion changes considerably, making this a sculpture that deserves to be displayed where it can be appreciated in the round.
This particular example was cast in France by Airaindor using the traditional cire perdue, or lost-wax, process and bears the foundry marking:
CIRE AIRAINDOR PERDUE
Importantly, the bronze is also individually numbered:
4/8
denoting the fourth numbered example from a stated Airaindor edition of eight.
The sculpture additionally carries inscriptions derived from Rodin's original 1881 composition, including “GARDE BIEN” and the historic date associated with the model.
The bronze retains a wonderfully deep, dark brown patination with subtle tonal variations across the surface. The finish is particularly effective across the deeply worked mane and textured base, catching the light across raised areas while leaving the recesses dramatically shadowed.
A substantial and highly decorative French lost-wax bronze after one of Rodin's most unusual and emotionally affecting compositions, with the added interest of its Airaindor foundry mark and individual 4/8 edition number.
Auguste Rodin and The Weeping Lion
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917) is regarded as one of the defining sculptors of the modern era. His expressive modelling, deliberately worked surfaces and ability to convey psychological and emotional intensity fundamentally altered the direction of European sculpture.
Le Lion qui pleure — The Weeping Lion — occupies a particularly interesting place within Rodin's work because animal sculpture represents a comparatively small part of his extensive oeuvre.
Rodin conceived the composition in 1881 at the request of Edmond Turquet, the French Under-Secretary of State for Fine Arts and an important figure in the sculptor's early career.
Turquet had played a role in securing Rodin the commission for The Gates of Hell, which would subsequently become one of the defining projects of Rodin's career.
The Weeping Lion was created in memory of Turquet's late wife, Marie Eléonore Octavie de Montgomery Love.
The lion and the motto “Garde Bien” relate to the heraldic tradition associated with her family, transforming what initially appears to be an animal study into something considerably more personal — a sculptural expression of mourning.
Rodin's treatment of the subject is particularly powerful.
The lion has not been portrayed roaring, attacking or standing triumphantly. Instead, its immense body is lowered and its head bowed.
The traditional symbol of courage and physical strength has been rendered vulnerable.
The result is extraordinarily human.
Rodin conceived Le Lion qui pleure in 1881.
The Musée Rodin preserves an original wax version of the sculpture within its collection, while important early bronze examples are held by international museum collections.
An early bronze cast by the Alexis Rudier foundry was acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, in 1909.
The historic 1881 date appearing as part of the composition therefore relates to Rodin's original conception of the model and not to the casting date of this particular Airaindor bronze.
This example is a later French bronze cast after Rodin's original model.
It was produced by the Airaindor foundry using the traditional lost-wax or cire perdue casting process and dates from the late 20th century, circa 1985.
The bronze is marked:
CIRE AIRAINDOR PERDUE
Lost-wax casting is particularly suited to sculptural bronze because it allows complex modelling and subtle surface texture to be reproduced with considerable detail.
That is particularly effective with The Weeping Lion. The deeply modelled mane, textured base, powerful musculature and expressive treatment of the lion's face all benefit from the process.
Limited Numbered Casting – 4/8
Of particular importance to this example is its individual edition number:
4/8
The bronze is numbered as the fourth example from a stated Airaindor edition of eight numbered casts.
This individual numbering, together with the Airaindor foundry mark, forms an important part of the identity and interest of this particular bronze.
For complete cataloguing accuracy, the 4/8 numbering relates to this later Airaindor edition after Rodin. It should not be confused with the authorised edition system associated with original bronzes issued under the authority of the Musée Rodin.
The sculpture is therefore correctly catalogued as:
After Auguste Rodin (1840–1917), Le Lion qui pleure (The Weeping Lion) — Airaindor lost-wax bronze, No. 4/8.
An Important 2013 Christie's Result
The importance of the original composition was highlighted in December 2013, when an original 1881 wax version of Le Lion qui pleure appeared at Christie's Paris.
The historically significant sculpture realised €103,500 and was acquired for the collection of the Musée Rodin.
That result relates to Rodin's original 1881 wax and therefore occupies an entirely different collecting category from this later Airaindor bronze.
It is included here as part of the history of the model rather than as a direct price comparison.
After Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917)
After Rodin's:
Le Lion qui pleure (The Weeping Lion)
Original model conceived: 1881
Airaindor, France
Traditional lost-wax casting.
Foundry marked:
CIRE AIRAINDOR PERDUE
Number 4/8
The fourth numbered bronze from a stated Airaindor edition of eight.
Late 20th Century
Circa 1985
France
Cire Perdue / Lost-Wax Casting
Cast bronze with a rich dark brown patinated finish.
The deeply textured surface displays subtle variations in tone, particularly throughout the mane, muscular body and integral base.
Private collection.
The bronze carries the Airaindor foundry mark and individual 4/8 numbering.
No documentation accompanies the sculpture connecting this particular casting directly with Auguste Rodin or an authorised Musée Rodin edition.
It is therefore accurately and transparently catalogued as a late 20th-century Airaindor bronze after Auguste Rodin.
This is a rather special bronze and one that we were immediately drawn to.
There is something incredibly powerful about The Weeping Lion. At first glance you see everything traditionally associated with a lion — immense strength, weight and physical presence. The longer you look at it, however, the more its character changes.
The lowered head, enormous paws and crouched body create an extraordinary sense of sadness and vulnerability. Knowing the story behind Rodin's original 1881 composition makes the sculpture even more poignant.
We particularly like the quality and presence of this example. The deeply worked mane and textured bronze respond beautifully as the light moves across the surface, while the rich dark patination gives the lion considerable depth.
This particular bronze also has the important additional interest of being individually numbered 4/8 and carrying the CIRE AIRAINDOR PERDUE foundry mark.
For us, this is a piece that needs very little around it.
We would display it quite simply on a substantial console, library table, desk or pedestal, ideally somewhere it can be appreciated from several angles. It is powerful enough to command a space entirely on its own.
It is equally important to us that its history is represented accurately. This sculpture is not presented as a lifetime bronze by Auguste Rodin or as an authorised Musée Rodin cast. It is a later French lost-wax bronze cast by Airaindor after Rodin's celebrated 1881 composition and numbered 4/8.
It remains an impressive and beautifully executed interpretation of a fascinating Rodin composition and, in our opinion, one of the more compelling pieces of sculpture we have acquired.
Presented in very good condition consistent with its late 20th-century date.
The bronze retains a particularly attractive and well-established dark brown patination with subtle variations in tone throughout.
There are minor surface marks, gentle rubbing and small variations to the patina consistent with age and previous handling.
The deeply modelled mane, facial features, muscular body, paws and textured integral base remain particularly well defined.
The sculpture has been sympathetically cleaned whilst retaining the depth and character of its existing patinated surface.
Please refer to the detailed photographs, which form an integral part of the condition report.
Height: 29 cm / 11.4 inches
Width: 34 cm / 13.4 inches
Depth: 16 cm / 6.3 inches
Weight: 7.6 kg / 16.8 lbs
Every item offered by Shackleton Fox is carefully inspected, prepared, and where necessary conserved within our workshop prior to sale.
As heritage craftsmen and antique specialists, we believe in preserving the authenticity and integrity of each piece. Original finishes, patina, wear, and signs of age are retained wherever possible, as these elements contribute to both character and historical significance.
When restoration, rewiring, repairs, or conservation work is required, it is undertaken sympathetically using traditional techniques and materials appropriate to the period of the piece. Our philosophy is one of careful stewardship rather than unnecessary restoration, ensuring antiques remain both functional and historically respectful.
The result is a collection of pieces that have been thoughtfully prepared, allowing future owners to enjoy them with confidence while preserving their unique story and character.
