Imposing & highly decorative bronze bust of French agronomist & inventor, Mathieu De Dombasle on a Pyrenean red marble base which has been presented as an agricultural trophy prize probably between 1880 & 1900.
NOTE: The bust is made from solid bronze, not hollow, & together with the attached marble base, weighs well over 5 kg.
The base of the bust is engraved:
"MATHIEU DE DOMBASLE"
The presentation plaque attached to the red marble base has been engraved:
"COMICE AGRICOLE DE LUNEVILLE. EXPLOITATION AGRICOLE - HORS CONCOURS. MR LE COMPTE DE GUICHEN A CIREY - SUR - VEZOUZE"
Roughly translated this reads:
"LUNEVILLE AGRICULTURAL FAIR. NON - FARM AGRICULTURAL COMPETITION. MR COUNT OF GUICHON AT CIREY- SUR- VEZOUZE"
NOTE: Although the presentation plaque does not include a date, I have researched other similar French agricultural trophies featuring bronze busts of Mathieu De Dombasle and they were awarded between 1884 & 1902 so it is likely this trophy was presented around the same time period.
Included with the bust is a printout of the Wikipedia page relating to Mathieu de Dombasle.
Weight: Over 5 kg. Height: 340mm. Width: 165 mm. Dimensions of Base: 155 mm x 145 mm.
Mathieu de Dombasle (1777 - 1843): A French agronomist and one of the first French farmers to grow beetroots to produce sugar. He also invented the Dombasle Plough and established a model farm in Roville-devant-Bayon. He was the author of many books about agriculture.
De Dombasle was the co-founder of the Societe Centrale D'agriculture and he served as its founding president from 1820 to 1825.
Luneville: This is the town where the agricultural fair was held. it is a commune in the north eastern French department of Meurthe-et-Moselle. In 2023 the population was 18,262.
Cirey-sur-Vezouze: This is the town/village from where the trophy winner came from. It is located just 25 miles east of Luneville. A commune in the north eastern French department of Meurthe-et-Moselle. In 2023 the population was 1,555.
Summary: As can be seen from the photos this is a highly decorative 19th Century French agricultural trophy with an interesting story behind it. It has a great Country House look to it. Good luck!