Need help identifying mysterious old bronze statuette

My boyfriend's mom asked me for help in identifying this very old, very heavy, bronze (or copper?) figurine that her late mother found on a beach in Europe decades ago. It's missing an arm, and the feet are broken off. There is still sand on it which is nearly impossible to remove. Any ideas? I'm completely stumped.

 

No one's got an idea here, either?

 

A lack of response usually means no one has an answer to offer. This is a tough one!

(One tip if you were wondering if people saw the listing ... if you check the forum list you can see that for this post there were 58 views.)

In fairness, this is a very hard thing to ID. When something is in reasonable shape you can compare it to others out there, but this is so water worn, almost impossible to see what it originally must have looked like. And metal figurines have been common for a long time.

If I had to guess, I'd say it was a figurine from the first part of the 20th century, equally could be from years later if done in the style of an older piece. Possible it was on a stand at one time since the feet are broken off. Or could have even been part of a lamp, etc.

The style of the dress might be a clue as to when it was originally designed, or what era it was made to represent if made later. @Debora knows a lot about clothing through the ages.

That it was found on a beach is a great story, and I hope your boyfriend's mother hangs on to it as a memento of her mother's little treasure find.

 

Well, looks art nouveau-ish so not terribly old.

Debora

 

I also have looked it over time and time again with no idea what it could be other then the suggestions Lucille have given. I also agree with Debora on era. Her hairstyle does look Gibson girlish (late 19th to early 20th century) with a small bun in the back. I have tried editing the pics in hopes of IDing it with no luck. Following are a few of my editing versions that didn't help me.

--- Susan

 

I think the way the woman's breasts are uplifted and well defined , makes her dress too racy for a gibson girl.

 

That's the art nouveau part.

Debora

 

those are nice....parts !

 

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