Alfred Jean Foretay Busts

A small French Art Nouveau patinated bronze bust titled "Carmen", after a model by Emmanuel Villanis (1858–1914), circa 1900. The bust is signed "E. Villanis" in the bronze along the draped shoulder and carries the circular "Vrai Bronze Garanti Paris" foundry mark on the reverse of the socle. The sculpture The subject is a young woman with a composed, slightly downcast expression and a richly modelled upswept hairstyle, crowned by a tall decorative comb that gives the silhouette a theatrical, Spanish-inspired character fitting the name Carmen. Her shoulders are wrapped in a loose shawl with softly folded edges and tied drapery at the front. The integral tapered pedestal carries the title "Carmen" in relief. The dark brown patina shows warm bronze highlights on the face, shoulders, hair and raised details, and the contrast between the smooth skin and the textured hair, shawl and socle gives this small bronze real depth. About the artist Emmanuel Villanis was a French sculptor of Italian origin who worked in Paris and became known for his Belle Époque busts of women, often named after heroines from opera, literature and mythology. His models were cast in bronze and spelter in various sizes and remain popular with collectors of French decorative arts. Condition Good antique condition, with age-related wear, rubbing and small areas of patina loss to raised edges and drapery. No obvious restorations visible. Please see the photos for details. Dimensions: height 16 cm, width 9 cm, depth 6 cm. Display At 16 cm high, this is a charming cabinet-scale sculpture. Display it on a mantelpiece, a desk, a console or a bedside chest, on a bookshelf, or in a vitrine together with other French bronzes. It suits a Parisian apartment, a Belle Époque-inspired room, a collected interior or a contemporary setting where a single historic object provides focus. A companion bust by Villanis, "Cendrillon", is available in a separate listing in our storefront. Keywords: Emmanuel Villanis, Villanis bronze...

French Art Nouveau Alabaster and Marble Bust of a Young Lady, France, ca. 1900 A beautiful French Art Nouveau sculpture dating from circa 1900, this elegant bust of a young lady is ...

A beautifully cast Art Nouveau dark brown patinated bronze bust of a young African mother tenderly holding and breastfeeding her baby. The bronze is signed Gardon an unlisted scul...

A finely modelled French Art Nouveau patinated bronze bust titled "Cendrillon" (Cinderella), after a model by Emmanuel Villanis (1858–1914), circa 1900. The bust is signed "E. Villanis" in the cast along the shoulder and titled "Cendrillon" in relief across the front of the integral architectural socle. The sculpture Villanis shows the fairy-tale heroine as a young woman with an introspective expression, her head turned gently to one side beneath a closely gathered headscarf. The smooth modelling of the face, neck and décolletage contrasts with the lively folds of the blouse, the layered scarf and the bow at the nape of the neck. From the side, the headscarf and gathered hair form a particularly sculptural silhouette, and the back is treated with the same attention to drapery and texture as the front. The tapered socle with its castellated decorative border gives the bust a finished, architectural presence. The dark brown patina has softened over time, revealing warmer bronze highlights on the raised folds, the shoulder, the title and the edges of the base. About the artist Emmanuel Villanis was a French sculptor who worked in Paris and became known for his graceful Belle Époque busts of women, often named after heroines from literature, mythology and opera. His models remain popular with collectors of French decorative arts. Condition Good antique condition, with age-related rubbing and patina wear to raised areas, particularly the headscarf, drapery, title and socle edges. No obvious repairs or restorations visible. Please see the photos for details. Dimensions: height 15 cm, width 9 cm, depth 6 cm. Display At 15 cm high, this cabinet-scale bronze is lovely in a library, dressing room, bedroom, salon or entrance hall, on a mantelpiece or desk, or in a display of Art Nouveau decorative arts. It suits a Belle Époque, Parisian or neoclassical interior and works equally well in a collected contemporary setting, where a small historic bronze adds depth and material richness. A companion bust by Villanis, "Carmen", is available in a separate listing in our storefront. Keywords: Emmanuel Villanis, Villanis bronze...

Austrian Art Nouveau patinated bronze bust of Ophelia by Josef O¨fner. Like the sculpture of Maurice Bouval, O¨fner depicts Ophelia as a sleeping woman adorned with flowers. The scul...

Large French Art Nouveau Bronze Bust Sculpture of Diane / Artemis by Paul Gasq (1860–1944), France, circa 1900. An exceptional and large French Art Nouveau bronze bust sculpture dep...

Beautiful alabaster sculpture of an Art Nouveau lady resting on a marble plinth. Signed R. Schoggi.

Diane Art Nouveau Bust by Emmanuel Villanis – France Circa 1900 This elegant Art Nouveau bust "Diane" by renowned French sculptor Emmanuel Villanis (1858–1914) is among the artist’s...

-Art Nouveau bust - Alabasta with marble pedestal - Signed latour - Good condition

Julien Caussé, a well listed French sculptor. Art Nouveau bronze bust of a young beauty "Cigale". In very good condition, fine patina. France, circa 1900. Stamp: J. Causs...

Bronze Figure of an Art Nouveau young woman. circa 1900. Beautiful European Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture of a young woman. This beautifully made German style bronze sculpture of a yo...

Porte-montre de poche Art Nouveau en bronze patiné, cette sculpture décorative représente une jeune femme nue voilée, aux lignes souples et retenues. Réalisée en bronze massif et pos...