Saint Agnes | Christie's

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Saint Agnes

Details

Saint Agnes
a boxed papier-mâché scene of Saint Agnes standing in a rocky outcrop, with wax shoulder head and arms and painted features, in original silk brocade clothes trimmed with metal braid and holding a gilt palm branch in her left hand, her right held in front of her body, the rocks covered in stained green, yellow, pink, red and clear mica, decorated with verre de Nevers glass cupids, sheep and dog, other animals and figures of monks of gum tragacanth and cotton batting, shells, artificial flowers, berries and plants, in glazed case --24½in. (62cm.) x --19¼in. (49cm.), late 18th century

Provenance

This bocage belonged to Winneretta Singer, Princesse de Polignac (1865-1943). With her great sewing machine fortune she lived in Paris and was a patroness to artists and composers, as well as The Ballets Russes. Her salons encouraged young composers including women and were attended by writers and artists such as Proust, Cocteau, Monet, Diaghilev and Collette.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

St. Agnes was a 3rd century Roman martyr who was killed at the age of twelve or thirteen, for refusing to sacrifice to pagon gods and lose her virginity. She is therefore the patron saint of engaged couples, virgins, chastity, rape victims and Girl Guides.

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