19th century bronze sculptures of the Marly horses

A good pair of 19th century bronze sculptures of the Marly horses, each showing a rearing wild horse with a flying mane, bridle and saddle-cloth being restrained by a groom, incised ‘Coustou’, on polished oak bases. French, c1900.

Footnote: The ‘Marly horses’ were originally commissioned in 1739 by King Louis XV from the sculptor, Guillaume Coustou, for the Chateau of Marly (a favourite royal retreat). These monumental marble hoses were installed at the horse pond in the gardens of the chateau in 1745. The Chateau of Marly was destroyed following the French Revolution, but the statues, considered masterpieces of French sculpture, were rescued by the painter Davide and moved to the Place de la Concorde at the bottom of the Champs-Elysees. In 1984 they were then moved once more into the Louvre and were replaced by copies.