Ferdinand Pautrot, French Bronze Bird Sculpture, Signed F. Pautrot, Animalier, 19th c.

A patinated bronze of a wild bird with wings spread, caught in the moment of alighting on an oak branch — head turned downward, beak parted, long tail trailing back, every feather rendered with the observational precision that defined the French animalier tradition. Signed in raised cast lettering on the front of the base: F. PAUTROT. Ferdinand Pautrot (French, 1832–1874) worked in Paris alongside Pierre-Jules Mêne, Jules Moigniez, and Christophe Fratin, specializing in birds and hunting subjects. His bronzes were exhibited at the Paris Salon and his finest casts carry the Admis aux Beaux-Arts designation. He died at forty-two, leaving a substantial body of work continuously collected since. Warm olive-green patina with natural verdigris in recesses; casting quality strong throughout. No foundry mark beyond signature. 10 in H × 10 in W. Bronze sound; no damage; patina original and unrestored.