'The Prey'
Vase
Auguste Ledru (1860-1902)
France
1895
Patinated bronze
Width 35.4 cm maximum x height 44 cm x diameter 32.7 cm
Museum no. M.24-1998

Auguste Ledru (1860-1902) was a pupil of Dumont, Bonnassieux, Thomas and Boisseaux and he made his debut at the Salon of 1883. Although he can be regarded as a sculptor, his career was principally involved with the decorative arts, designing vases, cups, dinner services and ornamental fountains in plaster, bronze pewter.

The firm of Susse Fréres, which was one of the largest and most successful French bronze foundries in the latter half of the 19th century, manufactured this Ledru-designed vase. It is of patinated bronze, with marine and erotic imagery, cast and applied relief.