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92 - Charles MALFRAY (1887–1940) – Attack by the Zeppelins, 1915 …
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Estimate €1,000 - €2,000
Sale commission
Description
Charles MALFRAY (1887–1940) – Attack by the Zeppelins, 1915 – A rare historical bronze sculpture depicting the defence of Paris against the Zeppelins. A substantial bronze high relief with a brown patina, signed and dated 1915 in the bottom right-hand corner. It bears the engraved inscriptions: ‘Zeppelin Attack by Frépillon’s unit on the night of 21 March 1915’ and ‘a gunner from the unit’, followed by the artist’s signature. This work commemorates the anti-aircraft defence of Paris during the first bombing of the capital by Zeppelin airships, on the night of 20–21 March 1915. The defence batteries of the fortified camp around Paris, including that at Frépillon (Val-d’Oise), opened fire on the German airships in order to protect the capital. Charles Malfray, who was then serving in the artillery, produced several works devoted to this episode, one of which is listed in the Henri Leblanc Collection, held in the national collections, under no. 1086. This relief is a particularly rare testament to the early days of French anti-aircraft defence and to the sculptor’s wartime work. It would appear that the artist took part in this military engagement himself. The men and the gun are conceived as a single living mass, in which lines of force, volumes and rhythms take precedence over descriptive detail. Dimensions: 26.5 x 34 cm.
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About the sale Works of art and collectables
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Auction time 08/29/2026 at 2:00 PM
Lot description modified on 08/21/2026 at 11:09 AM
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