A Wonderful 18thC French Terracotta Bust of a Courtly Lady
SOLD
Origin: Probably French
Period: Louis XV / Louis XVI
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1750-1800
Width: 8.75 inches
Height: 12 inches
Beautifully proportioned and In unrestored condition, the early terracotta bust of a courtly lady facing dexter wearing a swathed dress, her hair tied up and her face placid, the whole with weathering commensurate with age, on a stepped square plinth base, survives from the Louis XV to Louis XVI period.
The condition of the bust is unrestored and there are losses around the neck and it is possible that her head has been re-attached. There is discoloration from its former positioning, probably part sheltered outside. The pedestal base has loss to one corner. Her appeal is that she is distressed, though still stable, not added to, not ‘restored’ to something she shouldn’t be and not meddled with. The right side of the bust appears to have some repair work to it in that the base colour is of a different shade. This is a decorative piece and one with much more age than most of its type.
The subject’s regal character is resplendently apparent and her courtly aura has been successfully communicated through the modeling of her head and neck being slightly raised in superiority. Although she is rather tricky to date precisely we feel she is certainly second half of the eighteenth century and of French origin.
An early piece of terracotta sculpture in beautiful time-worn condition.
Period: Louis XV / Louis XVI
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1750-1800
Width: 8.75 inches
Height: 12 inches
Beautifully proportioned and In unrestored condition, the early terracotta bust of a courtly lady facing dexter wearing a swathed dress, her hair tied up and her face placid, the whole with weathering commensurate with age, on a stepped square plinth base, survives from the Louis XV to Louis XVI period.
The condition of the bust is unrestored and there are losses around the neck and it is possible that her head has been re-attached. There is discoloration from its former positioning, probably part sheltered outside. The pedestal base has loss to one corner. Her appeal is that she is distressed, though still stable, not added to, not ‘restored’ to something she shouldn’t be and not meddled with. The right side of the bust appears to have some repair work to it in that the base colour is of a different shade. This is a decorative piece and one with much more age than most of its type.
The subject’s regal character is resplendently apparent and her courtly aura has been successfully communicated through the modeling of her head and neck being slightly raised in superiority. Although she is rather tricky to date precisely we feel she is certainly second half of the eighteenth century and of French origin.
An early piece of terracotta sculpture in beautiful time-worn condition.