A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XV TERRACOTTA MODELS OF SPHINXES

AFTER A DESIGN BY NICOLAS COUSTOU, CIRCA 1770

Details

A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XV TERRACOTTA MODELS OF SPHINXES
AFTER A DESIGN BY NICOLAS COUSTOU, CIRCA 1770
Each semi-draped, on a later molded and simulated marble plinth
9 in. (23 cm.) high, 10 in. (25 cm.) wide; 5 in. (15 cm.) deep, each (2)

Provenance

Acquired from Galerie Camon, Paris.
Anonymous Sale; Christie's, London, 6 November 2008, lot 272.

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Lot Essay

The guardian Egyptian sphinx is theatrically presented as a fine French lady in mid 18th century fashion. The design is possibly based on a drawing attributed to Nicolas Coustou in the Cabinet of Drawings at the Stockholm Museum, thought to be a preliminary sketch for the lead figures of sphinxes which were placed on the terrace of the Royal Pavilion at Marly.

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