AFTER THE MODELS BY JAMES PRADIER (1790-1852), LAST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

The present lot can be attributed to the celebrated French sculptor, James Pradier, on the basis of a comparison with a pair of similar pendant figures, 'Étoile du Berger, Le Jour’ and 'Étoile du Berger, La Nuit’ created by the artist in 1846 and a nearly identical pair of figures 'Le Jour’ and 'La Nuit,’ attributed to him (C. Lapaire, James Pradier (1790-1852) et la sculpture française de la génération romantique, Milan, 2010, p. 358 no. 292-293 and p. 440-441, no. 538-539). All were likely inspired by the compositions of Joseph-Michel-Ange Pollet (1814-1870) who, in 1848, showed a large plaster group at the Salon 'Une Heure de la Nuit’ (no. 4875) which anticipates the graceful curves of the present sculptures. Pradier’s allegorical figures were reproduced in numerous sizes and media from the mid to late 19th century, including ivory and bronze. A pair of bronze figures signed Pradier sold Sotheby’s, London, 17 May 2011, lot 6. Italian sculptors also favoured the model as evidenced by a pair of marble figures by Pietrò Franchi, dated to the last quarter of the 19th century and sold Christie’s, London, 27 September 2007, lot 54. Finally, a pair of Dieppe ivory figures nearly identical to the present lot was sold Christie’s, London, 14 May 2008, lo 127 (£72,500).