France. REPUBLIQUE FRAN?AISE. By Louis-Alexandre Bott?e (1852-1941, Grand Prix de Rome in 1878). Uniface cast bronze 126mm. $275. ———– Louis-Alexandre Bott?e (1852-1941) was born in Paris. At the age of 13 he was apprenticed to a button-making manufactory, where he was responsible for engraving dies. He later studied at the ?cole des Art D?coratifs. In 1869 he joined the atelier of Paulin Tasset and in 1871 he joined the ?cole Nationale Sup?rieure des Beaux-Arts. He won the Premiere Grand Prix de Rome for medal engraving in 1878 and a gold medal at the Salon of 1900. In 1903 he was made an Officier de la L?gion d?Honneur.