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Lot Essay
The Illustrated Catalogue of the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition refers to a 'charming group of little Loves' executed in Algerian onyx and submitted by an unidentified firm in the French Court. The author curiously draws attention to the central figure, a recognizable female among her androgynous companions, and suggests that the overall composition of the piece is essentially comical; it is "her serious belief that she is aiding her companions, who really have assumed the whole burden...For the others, the artist has succeeded admirably in portraying that expression of manly determination."
Interestingly, the author does not identify the firm which supplied the jardinière, though a number of possibilities exist. One possible candidate is the firm of H. Jounet & Cie., Société des Onyx, which was active at the time of the exhibition and had certainly produced the model, an example of which was sold at Christie's London, 23 February 2006, lot 81 in bleu turquin and noir de Namur marbles.
Interestingly, the author does not identify the firm which supplied the jardinière, though a number of possibilities exist. One possible candidate is the firm of H. Jounet & Cie., Société des Onyx, which was active at the time of the exhibition and had certainly produced the model, an example of which was sold at Christie's London, 23 February 2006, lot 81 in bleu turquin and noir de Namur marbles.