Lot 85: François-Christophe-Armand Toussaint , French 1806-1862 Un esclave Indien portant une torche, une esclave indienne portant une torche bronze, brown and gilt patina

both figures signed A. TOUSSAINT / SCULPTEUR and with the foundry inscription GRAUX MARLY. / FABt. de bronzes . Electrified . bronze, brown and gilt patina

measurements height 7 ft. 5 in. alternate measurements 226 cm

Pierre Kjellberg, Bronzes of the 19th Century: Dictionary of Sculptors, London, 1994, p. 628

Toussaint studied under David D'Angers at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris following his admission in 1827 at the age of 21. A skilled sculptor, he received the Grand Prix de Rome four years later with a figure titled Canapée foudroyé sous les murs de thèbes. He received the médailles de la Légion d'Honneur in 1852, most probably as a result of the present pendant model that the French state comissioned on February 23, 1850 for the Palais de L'Elysée. Both figures were exhibited in bronze at the Salon in 1850-1851 under the no. 3599; the plaster model was exhibited three years earlier under the no. 2162. With this impressive pendant, Toussaint demonstrates his remarkable vision and talent, clearly a tour-de-force of far Eastern elegance and accuracy.