Bronze Baby on a Pear

This bronze inkwell features an angelic baby sitting on a giant pear. The sculpture is signed “L. Kley” by the French artist and sculptor Louis Kley (1833-1911). He became famous for creating Art Nouveau sculptures including a series featuring children.

Louis Kley (French, 1833-1911) was a sculptor born in Sens (Yonne) on March 17, 1833, and died in Celle Ville, France on March 8, 1911. He exhibited at the Salon in Paris in 1853 and won a medal at the Barbedienne competition. He also exhibited and won a silver medal at L’ Exposition Universalle of 1889 and other awards at different exhibits in Paris.