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Two Orientalist Style Patinated Bronze Maquettes by Marcel Début

$10,301.05per set
£7,500per set
€8,825.97per set
CA$14,160.08per set
A$15,784.73per set
CHF 8,308.06per set
MX$191,355.03per set
NOK 105,777.21per set
SEK 98,347.19per set
DKK 65,875.17per set

About the Item

Created by the French artist, Marcel Début, in the late 19th Century, these are beautiful pieces of naturalistic, figurative sculpture. Marcel Début was born in 1865, and grew up learning the art of carving from his father, Jean Didier Début, who created traditional, realistic sculptures of people. Later in life, Marcel trained under Henri Michel Antoine Chapu, an acclaimed sculptor at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. These are Orientalist sculptures, in that they are studies of Eastern figures specifically two Tunisian men made by a European artist. Début was able to visit Tunisia to study its culture and people because the country was a French protectorate in the late 19th century. The work on the left of the main photo depicts a Tunisian man who carries two water urns, which appear to be full. He is dressed in simple clothing, consisting of full, loose-fitting shorts, a striped belt and top with a low neck-line, and a fez on his head. The water-carrier’s body and clothing are finished in a lighter bronze patina, while the urns he holds — being the focus of his labour — are highlighted by their darker colour. Début created several sculptural works that explored the subject of peasant life in Tunisia. On the right, there is a figure of a Tunisian warrior. Unlike the water-carrier, he appears relaxed and inactive. His legs are crossed, and he holds the barrel of a musket in his right hand, while his left rests on his hip. He is dressed in similar clothes to the water-carrier, with the addition of a pistol, sword and other weapons tucked into his belt. The warrior has a moustache and beard, and he wears a turban and fez on his head. His clothing and weapons are finished in a darker colour than his skin. Both pieces feature plaques inscribed 'PRIX DE ROME' to the front and are signed ‘Debut’ on the base and stamped with the manufacturer’s mark. The dimensions of the sculptures are as follows: Measures: Water carrier: Height 33 cm, width 11 cm, depth 15 cm Warrior: Height 32 cm, width 14 cm, depth 13 cm.
  • Creator:
    Marcel Debut (Sculptor)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 12.6 in (32 cm)Width: 5.52 in (14 cm)Depth: 5.12 in (13 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Islamic (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Patinated
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Late 19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 158651stDibs: LU956312542991

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