circa 1880 French Plaster Sculpture of Francois Rene De Chateaubriand

This charming pair of French terracotta statues depicts a male and female musician and was made during the latter half of the 1800s. Both statues have been stamped “GOSSIN PARIS” on the back sides. The Gossin factory in Paris was led by two brothers, Etienne (died in 1900) and Louis (1846-1928). The brothers regularly showed their wares at the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the Salon de Paris, where they would often bring home medals for outstanding quality works. They were very well known for their ornamental terra cotta fabrications which were exhibited all-over the country, where they also took home various medals. Both of these statues represent musicians siting upon rocky bases decorated with flowers, and our male musician has been depicted holding a “musette de cour”, which is a relative of the bagpipe. The female musician can be seen with a “vielle à roue” in her lap. A vielle à roue is a string instrument that produces sound when a crank is turned. The crank rotates a wheel that rubs against the strings. The sound can be compared to that of a violin. Place this elegant pair of 19th century terracotta musician statues...

Found in a chateau in Loriol du Comtat, in the Provence region of France, this large-scale plaster sculpture is signed and dated by the artist, making it a rare find. Originally part of a boiserie containing a fireplace, the sculpture decorated the main hall of the chateau. The artist, Marius Sain, created the piece for the owners of the chateau in 1914. The lovely depiction of a shepherdess and her flock is a fitting subject for an area of France in which shepherding is such an important part of the culture. The preserved heritage of transhumance in Provence goes back at least 800 years, as evidenced by collections of ancient songs, stories, and art. Life-size in scale, the lovely sculpture features a mix of high-, mid-, and low-relief embellishments. A hooded shepherdess tends to her flock of sheep with a crook in hand. A dog sits calmly at her feet as the flock gathers in front of them. Both the shepherdess and the dog are in high relief, as is the lead sheep. The lamb seen suckling from the front sheep was crafted in mid relief, as is the visible head on the far right of the sculpture. There are a few sheep behind them in low relief. Large trees can be seen on either side of the group, while off in the background (faintly visible) are a castle with four fastigiate Mediterranean cypress trees (known as Stricta) and a spired church. The attention to detail is magnificent, with textured surfaces including the animals’ fur and the uneven ground. Block print on the plaster can be seen at the base. The letters read Le Soir, which is French for “The Night”. The right side of the sculpture has been signed “M Sain 1914”. Marius Joseph Sain was born in 1877 in Avignon, France. In 1902, Sain moved to Paris to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Through introductions by his older brother and painter, Paul...

After the original 18th century sculpture by Falconet, this circa 1850 hand carved French wooden sculpture depicts the Erotes brothers, Eros and Anteros, contesting a flaming heart (...

Mary and Jesus, often referred to as Madonna and Child, have been the subjects of art since the 3rd century when a rendering of the duo was painted on the walls of the Roman Catacomb...

Plaster sculpture of the Pied de Diane. A magnificent fragment of the Pied de Diane, originally used as a model for the Beaux Arts sculptors' workshops in 19th century Paris. Mate...

Vintage French plaster bust of a gentleman, c.1880. Bust has a ribbon and cross detail in relief on the front.

A lost wax watch holder bronze, depicting a standing Borzoi greyhound, fully detailed. Circular green veined marble base. A hook holds the pocket watch. France circa 1880.

A painted plaster sculpture from 1900s France. This sculpture depicts a lion climbing up to a cliff's edge, with legs stretched back releasing a ferocious roar. The gold paint that coats the plaster cast sculpture has chipped here and there, adding maturity to the image of the jungle king...