A rare and elegant Art‑Deco pair of panthers by the elusive sculptor Plagnet, active in France between the 1920s and 1940s. Although biographical information on Plagnet remains scarce, several documented works confirm his activity in the French Art‑Deco bronze tradition, often featuring felines rendered with dynamic movement and refined patinas.
This sculpture captures two panthers in a moment of tenderness, a theme that distinguishes it from the more common striding or hunting poses attributed to the artist. The pair is executed in bronze with a superb green patina, a finish consistent with Plagnet’s known works from the 1925–1935 period.
The animals rest on an impressive Portoro marble base, a luxurious black marble with golden veining, widely used in high‑end Art‑Deco decorative arts. The piece is signed on the right side of the marble, confirming its authenticity. The sculpture is in excellent condition and weighs approximately 30 kg, consistent with similar documented examples of Plagnet’s panther sculptures from the same era.
Additional references show that Plagnet produced both single panther figures and paired compositions, typically in bronze or spelter, mounted on marble bases and characterized by fluid lines, anatomical precision, and expressive poses—hallmarks of French Art‑Deco animalier sculpture.
This pair stands out for its emotional nuance, sculptural harmony, and the exceptional quality of its materials, making it a highly desirable piece for collectors of Art‑Deco bronzes and animalier works.
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