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An Impressive Pair of 19th Century Orientalist Spelter Figures, After A. Waagen

About the Item

An impressively large & well cast pair of Orientalist figures depicting a pair of Middle Eastern male & female musicians attired in traditional costume. Both figures are modelled ‘contrapposto’ so as to convey a natural & dramatic sense of rhythmic movement, with the male figure shown playing a hand drum being held aloft, and the female figure shown cradling a harp on her shoulder, her hair flung back & across her shoulders. Both figures exhibiting original hand applied gilt detail with obvious areas of rubbing, mounted upon rectilinear shaped spelter bases decorated with arabesque motifs. Both signed in the casting ‘Waagen’, and raised overall upon what appears to be their original conforming & ebonized wood plinths. No apparent foundry marks, suggesting these may possibly be posthumous castings by one of several foundries Waagen was known to have used for his casts. The male figure measuring 31” high, the female figure measuring 33.75” high. Both remain in very good overall condition, and are priced competitively in comparison to similar examples in the marketplace. ARTIST BIO: Max Arthur Waagen (1838-1898) was a Lithuanian born French sculptor who moved to Paris as a young man to pursue a career as a sculptor. He soon opened a studio on Cours-de-Vincennes and became a highly regarded & celebrated artist noted for his accomplished Orientalist sculptures, depicting North African cultures, hunt scenes etc. He exhibited several works at the Paris Salons from 1869 to 1887.
  • Creator:
    Max Arthur Waagen (Sculptor)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 33.75 in (85.73 cm)Width: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Other (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1890
  • Condition:
    Replacements made: No apparent conservation appears to have been carried out on either of the figures, with the exception of a later replacement of a mounting screw that secures the harp to the female musicians shoulder. Wear consistent with age and use. Both figures remain in very good condition and exhibit an untouched patina overall, areas of rubbing to the gilded highlights as observed in the image sequence.
  • Seller Location:
    Ottawa, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2728337492062

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