KASPAR BERNHARD HARDY (attr. A)

(Cologne, 1726 - 1819) Two polychrome wax compositions, Germany, 18th cent. depicting commoners, in gilt wood aedicule frame and mirrored ground; defects, minor cracking, dirt marks, possible traces of glue on base, the frames with cracks at corners, one with cracks and parts to be reassembled in base Cm 14.5X14X6 The aedicule, cm 20X16 The outer frame, cm 35X31X6.5 (2) Among the varied works by the well-known German plasticist, mention should be made of the important series of forty-eight wax figures contained within a cabinet formerly at a Christie's sale in London (No. 17185, The Collector: European And English Furniture, Ceramics, Portrait Miniatures & Works Of Art, November 13, 2019, lot 143) and later at Tefaf Maastricht (Kunstkammer Georg Laue, 2023). In addition, a series of reliefs quite similar to ours and also attributed to Hardy are now preserved in the collections of the Musée Carnevalet in Paris. Reference bibliography: A. Bacchi, History of the Wax Portrait. An essay, edited by, Milan 2011, pp. 146-148, no. 343 A. González-Palacios, Secrétaire by Thoedor Commer with panels Containing Wax Figures by Caspar Bernhard Hardy, Milan 2016, ad vocem