A pair of French terracotta female busts entitled 'Sommeil' and 'Reveil'

AFTER THE MODELS BY ALBERT-ERNEST CARRIER-BELLEUSE, EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Details

A pair of French terracotta female busts entitled 'Sommeil' and 'Reveil'
After the models by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, early 20th Century
Each with long hair and head tilted to the side, on a spreading socle inscribed CARRIER-BELLEUSE and square plinth, chips, Reveil with restored hair-comb
23½in. and 24in. (59.6cm. and 61cm.) high (2)

Lot Essay

The present two models of Sommeil and Reveil belong to Carrier-Belleuse's series of fantasy busts, which was commissioned in 1854 by the newly-appointed director of the Limoges porcelain factory, Henri Ardant, for reproduction in biscuit. With their barely-covered breasts, pose and trailing curls, both Sommeil and Reveil echo the mildly erotic mood of one of the first fantasy busts Automne.

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