More brass

Well it's been a weekend of brass. Here is a figurine of a cherub praying and a leafy candlestick holder. I can find plenty of examples of the cherub in bronze but none in brass.

 

I don't think she's a cherub. Clearly a little girl. You saw her here on the clock?

https://www.goantiques.com/antique-bronze-1095163

Debora

 

The first one is like depictions of the infant Samuel praying.

 

Cherubim have wings.

 

Yes, of course. She could be a he. Perhaps inspired by Reynold's painting which appears to have been quite popular?

Debora

 

I think you're right. The Infant Samuel.

Here's a marble sculpture of subject in the V&A.

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/...gure-cocker-george/?carousel-image=2009CR4748

And here's a Parian figure inspired by the Reynold's painting .

https://www.antiqueparian.com/en-GB/shop-home/a-small-parian-figure-of-the-infant-samuel/prod_10294

Seems to have been a popular subject in the Georgian era. The pathos (and nightdress) of the brass figure make me think later, Victorian.

Debora

 

Interesting... Here's a Julia Margaret Cameron photograph of the same subject.

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/104G0G

Debora

 

It seems to be a common thread

 

So I'm missing the rest of the clock then?

 

I would think she was also cast for other purposes. But a rather early date.

Debora

 

Sorry. He, not she. Agree the figure is male.

Debora

 

Well I was wondering why there were two small holes on the corners of the base. Looks like there were fixings to something else. I thought perhaps a plinth but could be anything.

 

My apologies (and my stoopid.) After a quick glance and without fully reading your post, I just assumed the two pieces went together but, of course, they don't. Here's a close-up of the clock figure. It does appear to be the same but... the casting of yours doesn't appear to be the same quality.

Debora

 

A Google Image search brings up a number of similars. Here's one. (Usual caveat re 1stdibs.com pricing.)

Debora

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/d...alian-gilt-bronze-cherub-c1860/id-f_25349472/

Debora

 

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I'm the world's worst at 'scanning' posts so don't worry about it. Can't find anything similar to the leafy candle holder. Regarding the figurine, mine appears to be a fair bit more miserable...

 

This version is signed, they say by Mathurin MOREAU.




https://www.ebay.com/itm/3549813664...jwxjMgpTEi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

I think Moreau's child at morning prayer is indeed female, as the seller says. The clothing and its disposition - close to the neck v. slipped off the shoulder - give clues the short hair does not. Reynolds lived in the 18th century, Moreau in the 19th, so Samuel came first.