Francisque Joseph Duret Bronze Statues of Young Neopolitan Dancers—A Pair

Details

Description

Francisque Joseph Duret was a French sculptor who gave us this delightful pair of dancers in the 19th Century, around … Read more Francisque Joseph Duret was a French sculptor who gave us this delightful pair of dancers in the 19th Century, around 1860. The original names of the two statues are Danseur Napolitain au Tambourin (Neopolitan Dancer with a Tambourine) and Danseur Napolitain aux Castagnettes (Neopolitan Dancer with Castanets). They are made from bronze that was finished with a golden patina as opposed to the usual brown patina that is most commonly seen on these statues. Because of their animated poses, the one holding the tambourine has a tendency to tip over if not positioned in a certain way on a flat surface. The one holding the castanets is easier to keep in an upright position. There are a few condition issues that I want to point out. The statue on the right has been repaired at the ankle (refer to picture 14). The repair was fairly well done with bronze added around the ankle to give the leg extra strength to support the weight of the figure. The arms and the base were attached separately, which is why you can see lines on the upper arms of both statues. Statues on one leg are often problematic when it comes to durability. There is a chip in the base of the statue on the left side (refer to picture 17). Both statues have signs of pitting and oxidation because of their being well over 100 years old, making them true antique pieces.

The statue on the right is signed by the artist, Duret F, (refer to picture 15), and also bears the name of the foundry, de la Fontaine (refer to picture 16). I photographed this pair of statues outside on a sunny day, which imparted a warm golden glow to them. They will invariably appear darker in an interior setting under artificial light. They are quite heavy, each one weighing approximately 9 pounds.

Measurements

Height: 16.5"
Width: 6.5"
Depth: 6.5"
Diameter of the base: 4.5" See less