CAST BY GUSS C. LEYRER FROM THE MODEL BY FRANZ VON STUCK (1863-1928), MUNICH, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Conceived in 1893 (Verwundeter zentaur) and 1897 (Amazone), these carefully balanced figures represents painter and sculptor, Franz Von Stuck's most celebrated sculptures and demonstrate an enduring theme in his work- the femme fatale. The subject of the Amazonian female warrior first appears in Stuck's paintings circa 1897. Most interestingly, the artist himself deliberately paired Amazone with his earlier composition of Verwundeter zentaur both in architectural settings and also in later paintings. While the female pendant appears most often at auction, a recent example of Verwundeter zentaur was sold at Christie's, London, 21 November 2011, lot 48 (£25,000).