Gilt bronze and white marble bust of a woman by Gory

Gilt bronze and white marble bust of a woman by Gory
French, late 19th Century/early 20th Century
Height 43cm, width 29cm, depth 19cm
 
This charming sculpture of a young woman is the work of the accomplished Italian-born sculptor, Affortunato Gory (1895-1925). Gory is best-known for his sculptures of women and children, which are often crafted from a combination of marble, gilt bronze (ormolu) and ivory. In this way, these works evoke ancient Egyptian and Greek chryselephantine sculptures. Gory was educated by Augusto Rivalta at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, and later moved to France, where he continued his education under the sculptor Victorien-Antoine Basset. Gory exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français several times in the peak of his career between 1902-1923. This piece is signed ‘A Gory/ Paris’.
 
The bust sculpture depicts a beautiful woman, her head crafted from a pure white marble. Her eyes are closed, and she has a peaceful expression on her face. The woman’s head is turned slightly to the left. Her long wavy hair is tied up in a plaited chignon and held back from her face by a gilt bronze (ormolu) headband. The lady wears a blouse, which has been finely cast in gilt bronze. The sculpture is set on a red-veined, rose-coloured marble plinth. This small, exquisitely crafted piece will look beautiful placed on a pedestal, mantelpiece, or table in a well-furnished interior.