Large oak torchère carved in the round, depicting America. E - Lot 109

Lot n° 109
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Estimation :
5000 - 7000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 21 060EUR
Large oak torchère carved in the round, depicting America. E - Lot 109
Large oak torchère carved in the round, depicting America. Exotic "Indian-style" figure, with bare torso, looking to the left and raising his right hand as if to hold the flared cup (now missing) resting on his head, his other hand equipped with a bow, a quiver of arrows hanging from his waist; Accentuated features, spiked nose and full lips, crested hair topped with feathers and a thick braid falling down her back; her hips are encircled by an animal skin from which foliage and a bunch of grapes hang; her body emerges from a truncated cone-shaped, three-sided molded sheath, the lower part of which is sculpted with shells and fleurons. Possibly Germany, Dresden, early 18th century H. 191 - L. 45.5 cm (a few accidents and missing parts, including the torch-holder cup) Book consulted - Exposition Versailles 2006, Splendeur de la cour de Saxe - Dresden to Versailles, Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, cat. The style of this torchere is clearly inspired by the Versailles style of Louis XIV. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds an identical torchiere, slightly smaller (180.3 cm), made in beech, which was donated in 1906 by Pierpont-Morgan (inv. 07.225.9, fig.). The museum's notice mentions the possibility of a German origin, more precisely Dresden, for this exotic-themed torchiere. It would thus testify to the French cultural influence in Saxony. The role played by the presence of artists, notably Huguenots, expelled from the kingdom when the Edict of Nantes was abolished was highlighted at the 2006 Versailles exhibition. We know that the Prince-Elector of Saxony, Auguste le Fort (1670-1733), a great admirer of the Sun King, also liked to organize lavish festivities. Exotic fashions were among his favorite themes, as evidenced by the highly evocative decorations and costumes illustrated by surviving drawings of himself dressed as a chief of the Africans. Goldsmiths and jewelers were not to be outdone, such as the famous Moors by German sculptor Permoser at the Green Vault in Dresden.
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