French Catholic Satirical Leo Taxil Pair of Bronzes - Priest Raven and Nun Owl - Circa 1882

Wonderful pair of historic French Catholic satirical bronze figures commissioned by Leo Taxil, known for creating hedonistic character, these being of a drunken priest, or abbot as a  raven and a  pregnant nun as an owl from the 1882 period.  These were to be sold to his anti Catholic readers of the Republic anticlericale, 1882-1885.  They appeared for sale in his newspaper.

To the Etruscans of Ancient Italy, the OWL was an attribute of the God of Darkness, and in other countries relating to a woman being pregnant.

They originally sold for 5 francs however, offered to his subscibers for 2 francs, with a very limited number were produced, making them quite rare.

The casts are probably Austrian and of great detail as seen in the photos.  They have a wonderful bronze patina and are in fine condition.    The Priest measures 9 1/2” tall and nun measures 10 1/4” tall.  

Leo Taxil, a French, Jewish writer and journalist, name is actually Gabriel Antoine Jogand-Pages, with Leo Taxil being his pen name, was against Catholicism then against Freemasonry.  In the later part of the 19th Century he converted to Catholicism, but was still criticized for his anti Catholic and anti Masonic views.

This pair of bronzes are not only quite decorative, but also hold an unusual story.