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French Art Nouveau Bust of a child chrysoelephantine marble, after G. de Thouin
About the Item
Exquisite and very refined chrysoelephantine sculpture depicting the bust of a child wrapped in a hooded gilded cloak. The work combines carved ivory for the face, which emerges from the gilded drapery, creating a beautiful contrast between the softness of the skin and the shine of the metal. The figure is mounted on a fluted column-shaped base of dark marble, giving it greater presence and stability. This is a model made by G. de Thouin, a renowned artist of chrysoelephantines during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods.
The infant's face is extremely expressive, with a melancholic or contemplative gaze. The delicate details in the carving, such as the softness of the lips and the subtlety of the facial features, reinforce its realism. The golden mantle is worked with a texture rich in folds and movements, evoking the sinuous and fluid style characteristic of Art Nouveau. It may have been inspired by religious iconography or the idealization of childhood, very common in 19th and early 20th century art.
History and Evolution of Chrysoelephantines
Chrysoelephantines are sculptures made of gold (chryso), a sculptural technique used primarily in Ancient Greece. They were monumental works that combined these precious materials to represent gods and mythological figures with great luxury and detail. Gold was typically used to represent elements such as clothing, armor, or accessories, giving them a realistic and luminous appearance. They often had a wooden frame, on which these materials were added.
These were large sculptures, often located in important temples. Over time, many chrysoelephantines were destroyed or dismantled, as their materials were valuable and reused. However, their legacy influenced later art, and in the 19th and 20th centuries, the term was revived to refer to small sculptures, especially in Art Nouveau and Art Deco. During the Art Nouveau period, chrysoelephantines were reinvented as small decorative sculptures, highly prized by collectors and aristocrats.
During this new period, they maintained the same pattern of using materials, but for much smaller pieces, typically between 20 and 50 cm. They depicted elegant, stylized, and sensual female figures in dynamic poses, often inspired by dance, mythology, and Belle Époque fashion, or by figures of oriental inspiration. They were very popular in high society at the beginning of the 20th century, but wars curtailed their production.
Technical Data
Author: After/Workshop of G. de Thouin
Style: Art Nouveau
Material: Chrysoelephantine bust and marble column
Period: Circa 1900
Country of Origin: France
Good condition commensurate with age and use
Overall Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 10 cm
Dimensions without base: 15 x 12 x 10 cm
- Dimensions:Height: 8.67 in (22 cm)Width: 4.73 in (12 cm)Depth: 3.94 in (10 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:1900-1909
- Date of Manufacture:1900
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Valladolid, ES
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2943344492422
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