A pair of French polychrome-painted cast-iron Blackamoor torchere figures

CAST FROM THE MODELS BY MATHURIN MOREAU, BY THE VAL D'OSNE FOUNDRY, LATE 19TH CENTURY

Details

A pair of French polychrome-painted cast-iron Blackamoor torchere figures
Cast from the models by Mathurin Moreau, By the Val d'Osne Foundry, Late 19th Century
Each wearing 'embroidered' and tasseled shorts and holding up a flambeau, one holding a flute and with a snake coiled around his raised arm, the other with a ball in his hand and another on his arm, each on a circular base impressed VAL D'OSNE, drilled for electricity, each on a square black-painted wooden plinth
The figures: 54in. (137cm.) high

Lot Essay

The eminent French foundry of Val D'Osne was established by Andre in 1835. In 1855 it was taken over by Barbezat and in 1867 its name changed to Houille et Cie. By 1870 it was known as 'Societe Anonyme des Hautes Fourneaux & Fonderies du Val d'Osne', with it's Paris showroom at 58 Boulevard Voltaire.

Moreau's oeuvre was extensively reproduced during the second half of the 19th Century by the Val d'Osne founderies and this is evident by the many articles that appear in their catalogues attributing his works.

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