Statue of Liberty Figurine

While artist and sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi depended on public commission from making commemorative monuments for his livelihood, the Statue of Liberty was a personal project consuming his time, energy, and finances. Since the direct sale of models of his work was an important source for his income, Bartholdi reproduced cast models of the Statue of Liberty for public sale. Avoiron et Cie, a French commercial foundry established in 1844 and specializing in making statuettes, candle sticks, and electric lamps, approached Bartholdi with an offer to make models of the statue. Bartholdi agreed and the company Avoiron made models for sale from 1878 to 1886. This Avoiron model was made of zinc electroplated with copper and fitted with the latest technology of electrical illumination. The 48-inch tall model stands on the foundry's distinctive circular base that is inscribed with series code letter "A", the foundry name, and Bartholdi's signature. An etched glass flame is mounted on the torch. This model was owned by the Coca-Cola Company and presented to the Statue of Liberty National Monument for the 1251 anniversary of the statue on October 28, 2011, by the city of New York, represented by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the Coca-Cola Company.