Two-tone patinated bronze sculpture by G. Leroux depicting Aida

Two-tone patinated bronze sculpture by G. Leroux depicting Aida
French, Late 19th Century
Height 75cm, width 33cm, depth 35cm
 
This sensational bronze sculpture is cast after an original 1870 sculpture made by the French sculptor Gaston Leroux (1854-1942). Leroux was renowned for his Orientalist sculptures, with the original of this bronze receiving the silver medal at the 1889 World Exhibition in Paris.
 
The figural sculpture depicts a seated enrobed woman, with particularly fine carving detail given to the drapery of her coat. She wears typical Orientalist dress, including a headdress that features a band of ornamental coins and droplets. She holds a tambourine, which is marked with royal insignia on the sides and a nielloed coat of arms on the drum, as well as beautifully contrasting gilt detailing.
 
The woman sits on top of a derelict statue of a pharaoh’s head, immediately locating us in the Egyptian world. The colour contrasts between the two different shades of patination (the figure herself rendered in brown tones and the statue base in greener hues) is a highly desirable feature that breathes life into the sculpture.
 
The woman is the Ethiopian princess Aida, the lead character from Verdi’s famous opera ‘Aida’. The use of this subject speaks to the Egyptian Revival that occurred in Europe during the late 19th century, following the ethnographic discoveries of the ancient Egyptian world that had happened just a few decades prior.
 
The statue is marked ‘Gaston Leroux’ on the base.
 
Bringing together skilful detailing with an interesting subject, this fantastic figural sculpture would be a great addition to any collection of Orientalist antiques. 
 
Artist/ Maker: Gaston Leroux