"Belle Chinoise" Sculpture

"Chinoise” Sculpture by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. This sculpture, a self portrait which stylistically mixes Art Nouveau and orientalism, is among her earliest successes. This piec...

Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Bronze Sculpture "Chinoise" circa 1915. A standing figure of a woman in a flowing gown with Buddha-like hand gestures standing on a lotus form base. Ma...

Belle Époque Animalier cast heavy bronze sculpture of an eagle with raised spread wings, mounted on a narrow stepped ebonized base. The piece was made by a German-American sculptor l...

A spirited late 19th century French cast stone sculpture of an adolescent male in a gay mood. The figure evokes the mood of Fragonard's painting 'L' indifferent. References: Beaux...

Truly unique pair of gilt bronze table candelabras by Henri Picard of Paris, France. These amazingly sculptural antique candelabras for more than one reason have the wow factor. First of all, they are made by one of the most famous and celebrated metal workers and 'fondeurs' of mid 19th century Paris. This artisan was commissioned by many important 'patrons', but Henri Picard’s most notable achievement was to supply Napoleon 3rd with various decorative antiques, some of which are still in the State Apartment of the Louvre Museum. The second reason why these candelabras are in a league of their own is the subject matter. Almost all Belle Epoque antiques have classical-world subject matters, but this pair clearly is different and it is this difference that makes this pair even more unique and remarkable. It is almost as if Henri Picard had already caught a glimpse of what was to come three or four decades later. We say so, because the subject matter (with animals and lotus or lily leafs and their organic design) is almost Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts in style. At the base of each of these candelabras are three endearing frog sculptures crouching under lotus leafs. A little further up the stem are a snail, a fly and a beetle sculpture, three creatures that regularly are on the frogs menu. And with the importance of frogs in French culture these candelabras also are of cultural historical significance. The third reason why we believe these works of art are of museum quality are the details. Besides the amphibian, mollusk and insects sculptures, you simply cannot overlook the remarkable details in the leafs, the branches and the floral decorations. They are of a quality and beauty that will make people want to stop, to look at and to study them. Like they would in a museum. Even all the original and removable bobeches AND the two bronze candle extinguishers...

Émile Hébert, the wanderer, French Belle Époque patinated bronze sculpture, circa 1880s Dimensions: Height 24.75” Width 10.5” Depth 5.75” Pierre-...