A 19th century French bronze model of Hugues Marie Désire Bouffé

A 19th century French bronze model of Hugues Marie Désire Bouffé, in his role of a street urchin in 'Le Gamine des Paris', on an ebonised plinth base inset a rotating bronze medallion by Brenet, with a portrait bust and inscribed 'H. D. MARIE BOUFFÉ', the verso inscribed 'BOUFFÉ A SES BON AMIS MATTHEWS 1851', the base with a paper label inscribed in pen 'Bouffé in 'Le Gamine de Paris'. This statuette was presented by Bouffé to Charles Matthews, after whose death it was bought by Mr T. L. Toole, by whom it was given to me on my birthday, immediately after his wife's funeral, L. Wingfield Feb 25, 1889', c.1840, the bronze: 10.75in (27.2cm) h, 6in (15.2cm) w, with plinth: 16.25in (41.1cm) h. Hugues Marie Désire Bouffé (1800-1888) was a French actor who after his performances at the Theatre de Gymanse was thought to be the best comic actor in Paris. He published his memoirs in 1880.