Degas Bronzes Cast by Valsuani: Complete Authentication Guide

Edgar Degas died in 1917 leaving approximately 150 wax and clay sculptures in his studio—never intended for public view. Yet today, Degas bronzes cast by the Valsuani foundry sell for $2-15 million at auction. How did private studio experiments become bronze masterpieces? And how do you authenticate a genuine Valsuani-cast Degas?

The Posthumous Casting Decision (1919-1921)

After Degas’s death, his heirs faced a decision: what to do with fragile wax sculptures deteriorating in the studio?
Options considered:

• Preserve as-is (would decay within years)
• Photograph and discard (lose three-dimensional information)
• Cast in bronze (permanent preservation but commercial implications)

Decision: Cast limited bronze editions via the Valsuani foundry
Why Valsuani?

• Reputation for surface fidelity (crucial for Degas’s textured modeling)
• Cire perdue expertise (only method that could capture wax detail)
• Claude’s willingness to collaborate with heirs on artistic decisions
• Location in Paris (heirs could supervise process)

The Casting Process (1920s-1930s)

Total sculptures cast: 74 models (from ~150 original waxes)
Selection criteria: Structural integrity (many waxes too fragile to mold)
Edition structure:

• Set A: Bronze editions marked A through T (20 casts per model)
• Set B: Additional casts for Degas’s heirs
• Artist proofs: Usually 2-4 per model

Timeline:

• First bronzes: 1919-1921 (immediate post-death)
• Major production: 1921-1931 (systematic edition completion)
• Late casts: 1932-1955 (filling incomplete editions)

Process per bronze:

1. Gelatin mold from original wax (destroys nothing if done carefully)

2. Wax model created from mold

3. Multiple iterations to match Degas’s surface exactly

4. Cire perdue casting

5. Patina matching Degas’s aesthetic preferences

6. Numbering and foundry mark application

Authentication: Valsuani Marks on Degas Bronzes

Standard marks on authentic Valsuani-cast Degas:
Foundry stamp:

• “CIRE C. VALSUANI PERDUE” or “C. VALSUANI CIRE PERDUE”
• Sometimes just “C. VALSUANI”
• Location: usually base or inconspicuous surface

Edition marking:

• Letter (A through T) or number
• Format: “A” or “No. 5” depending on series
• Hand-stamped or cast into bronze

Degas signature:

• “Degas” in script (from original wax signature)
• Location varies by sculpture
• Sometimes abraded or faint (casting artifact)

Size stamp:

• Height measurement (e.g., “H. 41 cm”)
• Indicates which size edition (some models cast in multiple scales)

The Most Valuable Degas-Valsuani Bronzes

“Little Dancer Aged Fourteen” (Grande Danseuse)

• Original wax: dressed with real tutu, hair ribbon
• Bronze editions: tutu cast in bronze or fabric added post-casting
• Auction record: $10-15 million (fabric tutu versions)
• Valsuani cast: 28 bronzes total (sets A-T plus artist proofs)

“Horse with Head Lowered”

• Dynamic pose showing Degas’s understanding of equine anatomy
• Auction prices: $3-7 million
• Technical challenge: thin legs required precise sectional casting

“Arabesque Over Right Leg”

• Extended pose with extreme balance point
• Valsuani technical mastery: no visible armature, perfect registration
• Auction prices: $4-8 million

Seated Bather series

• Intimate studio poses never meant for public viewing
• Textured surfaces required perfect wax thickness control
• Auction prices: $2-5 million

Dating Valsuani-Cast Degas: Early vs. Late Casts

Quality declined over time as original molds degraded and knowledge was lost.
Early casts (1920-1931):

• Claude supervised personally
• Sharpest surface detail (first-generation molds)
• Richest patinas (Claude’s original formulas)
• Heaviest weight (thicker wax walls)
• Value: Premium pricing at auction

Middle casts (1932-1950):

• Marcel’s stewardship, maintaining standards
• Second-generation molds (slight detail loss)
• Good patinas (Marcel learned Claude’s methods)
• Value: Strong prices

Late casts (1951-1955):

• Molds showing wear
• Surface detail softer
• Patinas lighter (original chemistry lost)
• Lighter weight (thinner wax)
• Value: 20-40% less than early casts

Fake Degas Bronzes: What to Watch For

Common fraud methods:
Recasts from authentic bronzes:

• Create mold from genuine Valsuani cast
• Cast bronze from this mold
• Result: 1-2% smaller due to bronze shrinkage
• Tell: Measure precisely against documented sizes

Sand-cast fakes:

• Faster, cheaper than cire perdue
• Tell: Granular interior texture (cire perdue is smooth)
• Tell: Less surface detail (sand can’t capture fine texture)

Fake foundry marks:

• Stamp genuine “C. VALSUANI” mark onto recast bronze
• Tell: Mark depth/style inconsistent with period
• Tell: Letter/number stamps wrong font for era

Modern casts from deteriorated molds:

• Late 20th century foundries purchased worn Degas molds
• Cast bronzes with Valsuani-style marks
• Tell: Surface detail too soft for claimed early edition

Authentication Services

Recommended experts:

• Degas Bronze Authentication Committee (if still active)
• Major auction house sculpture departments (Sotheby’s, Christie’s)
• Museum conservators specializing in 19th-20th century bronze

Authentication process:

1. Visual inspection (mark authenticity, surface quality)

2. Measurement verification (compare to documented casts)

3. Patina analysis (chemistry testing if permitted)

4. Weight comparison (authentic casts documented)

5. Provenance research (exhibition/sale history)

6. X-ray analysis (internal structure, wall thickness)

Cost: $1,000-$5,000 depending on sculpture value and testing required

Provenance: Tracking Degas-Valsuani Bronzes

Original buyers (1920s-1930s):

• Museums (Musée d’Orsay, Metropolitan Museum)
• Wealthy collectors (often through Durand-Ruel gallery)
• Degas family members (retained some casts)

Exhibition history:

• Major Degas retrospectives document specific casts
• Exhibition catalogs note foundry marks and edition letters
• Museums publish condition reports

Auction history:

• Sotheby’s/Christie’s catalogs document sales
• Prices track market evolution
• Lot descriptions note authentication details

Best provenance: Unbroken chain from 1920s purchase to present

Investment Considerations

Why Degas-Valsuani bronzes hold value:

• Limited editions (20-28 casts per model)
• Historical significance (posthumous tribute)
• Museum quality (Valsuani casting excellence)
• Degas’s enduring reputation

Price trends (2000-2025):

• Steady appreciation 5-8% annually
• “Little Dancer” outperforms (15-20% annual growth)
• Early casts command increasing premiums vs. late

Risks:

• Fake bronzes entering market
• Economic downturns temporarily depress prices
• Authentication disputes affect salability

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Degas bronzes did Valsuani cast?

Valsuani cast approximately 74 different Degas models, with editions of 20-28 bronzes per model (sets A-T plus artist proofs). Total authentic Valsuani-cast Degas bronzes: approximately 1,500-2,000 across all models.

How can I tell if my Degas bronze was cast by Valsuani?

Look for foundry stamps: “CIRE C. VALSUANI PERDUE” or “C. VALSUANI CIRE PERDUE” on the base or inconspicuous surface. Also check for edition markings (letters A-T or numbers) and Degas’s signature. Professional authentication recommended for valuable pieces.

What’s the difference between early and late Valsuani-cast Degas bronzes?

Early casts (1920-1931) have sharper surface detail, richer patinas, and heavier weight. Late casts (1951-1955) show softer detail, lighter patinas, and reduced weight due to mold degradation and lost knowledge. Early casts command 20-40% premium.

Are all bronze Degas sculptures cast by Valsuani?

No. After Valsuani closed in 1990, some Degas bronzes were cast by other foundries from surviving molds. Additionally, the Hébrard foundry cast some Degas works. Valsuani-cast bronzes are generally considered superior quality and command premiums.

How much is a Valsuani-cast Degas bronze worth?

Ranges from $50,000 for smaller, less famous models to $15 million for “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen.” Most fall in the $500,000-$3 million range. Value depends on model, edition letter, condition, and provenance.

Can Degas bronzes still be cast today?

Technically yes from surviving molds, but not by Valsuani (closed 1990). Modern casts lack the quality of early Valsuani work and sell for significantly less. Most collectors prefer vintage Valsuani casts from 1920-1955.

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Related Articles:

• [Valsuani Cire Perdue Technique Explained](#)
• [How to Authenticate Valsuani Bronze Marks](#)
• [Valsuani Foundry History 1899-2016](#)