Pierre de soete (1886-1948), "la défense du drapeau", bronze and polychrome bronze on a marble base. height: 58 cm. (22.82 in.), diameter: 31 cm. (12.19 in.)

Pierre de Soete (1886-1948), "La défense du drapeau", bronze and polychrome bronze on a marble base. This important historical symbolic bronze sculpture, entitled 'La défense du drapeau' (The Defence of the Flag) was created in 1914 by the Belgian sculptor Pierre de Soete. The 'Royal Military Museum Brussels' holds a similar example in their collection. (inventory no. 9100450). We would like to thank Dr. Pierre Lierneux for his input: "This subject, which is directly linked to Germany's declaration of war, is symbolized by the flag held by a grenadier. The crouching figures represent a carabinier (wearing a hat) and a line infantryman (wearing a shako). From there, moving counterclockwise, one can identify a lancer, a mounted chasseur, a guide (wearing a cloak), and a trumpeter of the horse artillery. All of these uniforms are depicted accurately; however, they combine elements of full-dress uniform (epaulettes and tunics) with field equipment (rifles or carbines, which are curiously all shown as being of the same length)." Liveveiling: het getoonde tijdstip is de start van de zaalverkoop; het individuele afhamermoment is niet gepubliceerd.