19th Century French Patinated Bronze Bust of a Soldier

Standing over 2 feet tall, these high quality bronze statues depict soldiers during the French revolutionary wars. They are labeled and signed Dumaige (French sculptor, Etienne-Henry Dumaige 1830-1888). The statues show incredible detail, excellent proportion, and retain their original, rich, brown patina, which is still in remarkable condition. Each solider has a raised brass placard on the front of the 1 ½” thick square bases: one reads Avant le combat volontaire de 1792 par Dumaige, H.C, while the other is titled “Apres le combat grenadier de 1792 par Dumaige, H.C.”. The designation “H.C.” stands for Hors concours (“standout”), which is used for artwork that is excluded from competition because it has already claimed top honors elsewhere. Avant, meaning “before” shows our soldier as a volunteer drummer. Drums were used on the battlefield not only to provide cadence for the soldiers, but also to issue orders based on the percussion pattern. Here, our soldier’s drum is attached to a harness that runs across his right shoulder. Both hands are gripping the frame of the drum, while there is a drumstick in his left hand. There is a satchel on the soldier’s back as he stands on grass with a small wood fence behind him. Our soldier has a mustache with long braided hair in the back. He is wearing a fluted bicorne with a pomme tuft and has earrings in both ears. His jacket is knee-length in the back, with tasseled epaulets on the shoulders. Apres, meaning “after”, depicts the man as a grenadier, enjoying tobacco after a conflict. The grenadier...

After the famous Apollo Belvedere marble statue (dating to Rome, mid-2nd century), this wooden bust of the Roman/Greek god was hand-carved in Italy during the 1800s. The marble is it...

This terracotta bust of a woman has some exquisite details. Sculpted in France in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, our subject has long, straight hair emerging from underneath a hood...

A lovely depiction of the neoclassical taste, three putti can be seen playing with a goat. The terra cotta sculpture from the 1800s has a variegated patination, with hues of dark och...

This well detailed terra cotta statue of a woman filling a water jug is from the late 19th century and measures over 30 inches high. The woman is holding a jug under the spout of a fountain; the spout is depicted as a lion mascaron. Beneath the lion spout...

This beautiful sculpture has been carved from solid French oak during the latter half of the 19th century. The style is that of Black Forest, with realistic depictions of branches, leaves, grapes, and more. Originally a French clock, most of the timing mechanisms have long been removed. The elaborate carving depicts a man harvesting wine grapes on rocky terrain dotted with vegetation. Our gatherer, who is clad in an overcoat and large brimmed hat, is carrying a hod (hotte in French) full of freshly picked grapes. A large wooden bucket...

A striking and very high quality French 19th century patinated bronze statue of a young soldier, signed E. Picault. The large scale statue depicts a youn...

A handsome French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze, ormolu and marble bust of David. The bust is raised by an elegant circular marble socle pedestal with a fine mottle...

A beautiful French 19th century patinated bronze and ormolu bust of Marie Antoinette signed by Houdon. The high quality bust is raised by an or...

A handsome and extremely high quality French 19th century patinated bronze and ormolu bust, titled ESRHOLIER and signed by EMILE LOUIS PICAULT. The bust is raised by a square base with a fine bottom ormolu fillet and a lovely mottled design. At the front is a unique and most decorative family crest amidst charming oak leaves inscribed 1350 and hanging in a gargoyle's mouth. At the center is an ormolu plaque inscribed "ESRHOLIER 14ème...

An impressive Italian 19th century patinated bronze and marble bust of a Roman Centurion signed P. Mormile. The bust is raised by a square Vert. de Patricia ...

A fine French 19th-20th century Art-Nouveau patinated bronze bust of "Marie Antoinette" (Queen of France 1755-1793), after the model by Agathon Léonard or Léonard Agathon van Weydeve...