each sentinel beast with displaying wings raised on a rectangular plinth,

This is a replica piece. See “91045” for the pedestal. “Societe Anonyme des Hautes Forneaux et Fonderies du Val d’Osne” was the greatest and most prolific of the French cast iron foundries for art pieces in late 19th Century France. They exhibited their high quality cast iron ornaments at all of the major international exhibitions of the time and were to merge with, or buy out the designs of, virtually all their main competitors, such as “Barbezat & Cie”, “J.J. Ducel” and ultimately the mighty “Durenne” foundry by 1930. An etching of these enormous beasts can be found in the 1875 catalogue from the “Fonderies Du Val-d’Osne”: plate 645 pattern No.185, the plate titled “Animaux”. Examples can be seen in many major cities from St. Petersberg to Buenos Aires.