Ref.9386
Four busts of Kings of France, former Beistegui collection

These four Neo-Renaissance style plaster busts represent Kings of France. They are copies of originals from the Renaissance and the 17th century that are in the Louvre. The first bust, copy of a bronze original, represents Louis XIII. For a long time, this sculpture was attributed to Jean Warin in the museum inventories but today specialists believe it is the work of Francesco Bordoni because it was found in the collection of his son Pierre Bordoni at his death. The three other busts are copies of works in alabaster and marble from the studio of the famous sculptor Germain Pilon (1535-1590). They are portraits of Henri II, Charles IX and Henri III. The four kings are wearing coronation clothes, each wearing the chain of the order of Saint Michael around their neck.

Ref.17878
A. TEBARQUE - Pair of women portraits made out of glazed stoneware

This pair of medallions was made by A. Tebarque around 1880-1890 out of faience enameled in relief. Featuring two female portraits, the painter perfectly mastered the enamels and brushstrokes, and used an abundance of colour. Tebarque also made the women very realistic. On one side, a woman with ashy blonde colour hair; blue eyes, seems to be dressed in a white dress with a lace neckline, whilst a deep dark blue coat is wrapped around her shoulders against the sky blue background of the medallions. On the other side, the second woman, brown, dark eyes, is dressed in the same style, a yellow pastel dress with a lace neckline and a large brown coat. Like a game of colours, Tebarque matched the colours of his characters' eyes with the colours of their adornments. The two women have realistic flowers made out of metallic enamel in their hair. The background of the two medallions, a sky blue colour, is decorated with floral apple tree branches carved in relief.

Ref.12298
Adriano CECIONI (1836-1886) - The Child with the Rooster, bronze subject with brown patina

L'Enfant au coq, bronze subject with brown patina signed on the terrace Adriano CECIONI (1836-1886).

Ref.14966
Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE, CHOISY-LE-ROI Manufacture, Bust of an Oriental Woman in glazed earthenware

This bust was created by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse for the Choisy-le-Roi faience factory in the second half of the 19th century. Albert-Ernest Carrier de Belleuse, known as Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887), was the most prolific sculptor of the Second Empire. He was quickly influenced by the importance of decorative arts and worked with Ferdinand Barbedienne on the creation of decorative objects. He achieved great success at exhibitions and received numerous official commissions. He produced many busts of beautiful and elegant young women, including a Bust of a Woman Wearing a Diadem held at the Orsay Museum. He also provided bust models for the Choisy-le-Roi Faience Factory, where his son later became the artistic director. This bust of an oriental woman, created from an original sculpture signed by Carrier-Belleuse, was made for this manufactory. Titled The Bust of an Algerian Woman, it was auctioned at Sotheby’s in 2017. It is one of his rare orientalist works. The desire to depict a woman in oriental costume aligns with the idealization evident throughout the sculptor's work. The smiling woman shows her teeth. Her long, loose hair, adorned with multiple sequins along the edges, rests on her shoulder and is topped with a hat featuring orientalist motifs. Her bare chest, partially covered by a crumpled fabric and accentuated by the two rows of her necklace, exudes great sensuality. The colorful costume draping her shoulders is highlighted by the vivid colors and brilliance of the faience. At the base of the bust, a gilded belt emphasizes the richness of the costume. The bust is signed on the back and bears the mark of the Choisy-le-Roi manufactory.