38 - Pair of allegorical sculptures. France, 19th century.

Pair of allegorical sculptures. France, 19th century. Patinated bronze and Belgian black marble bases. One of the bases has a chip in the marble. Measurements: 48 x 24 x 19 cm (sculptures); 6.5 x 25 x 19 cm (bases). This pair of sculptures forms an elegant, classically inspired composition in which two allegorical figures engage in a dialogue through their complementary gestures and postures. The floral attributes they hold suggest a possible personification of Spring or virtues such as Prudence. The idealized treatment of the faces, the delicacy of the hairstyles, and the fluidity of the garments reflect the academic style of 19th-century French decorative sculpture, which revived the models of Greco-Roman antiquity through a refined naturalism. Both figures are dressed in tunics with elaborate folds, which reveal glimpses of their anatomy and lend dynamism to the compositions. The meticulousness of the modeling stands out, especially in the details of the headdresses, the attributes, and the architectural elements on which they rest, decorated with animal heads. The bronze’s dark patina accentuates the hallmarks between the smooth surfaces and the sculpted forms, while the stepped bases of Belgian black marble complete the ensemble, reinforcing its ornamental unity.