19th Century French Emile Louis Picault Egyptian Pharaoh Cold Painted Bronze Sculptures - a Pair

Description

A spectacular matched pair of large and extremely rare Emile Louis Picault cold painted bronze sculptures from the late 19th … more A spectacular matched pair of large and extremely rare Emile Louis Picault cold painted bronze sculptures from the late 19th century.

Exquisitely handcrafted in France, circa 1890, stunning polychrome decorated, completely original, each signe "Picault"
This extraordinary antique pair of bronze figures is by famed French sculptor Émile-Louis Picault.

Picault's Egyptian-influenced works such as this are among his most desirable and highly sought after.

The Egyptian Pharaohs strike a regal pose in this extraordinary pair of bronze figures by famed French sculptor Émile-Louis Picault, one of the most celebrated sculptors of the 19th century. Renowned for his magnificent work celebrating allegorical, mythological and patriotic subjects, Picault's Egyptian-influenced works such as the present group are among his most desirable, bringing upwards of $114, 000 at auction. This extraordinary pair embodies the high level of detail and elaborate design for which Picault's work is so chairished.

Stoically standing on an column base, proudly displaying his nemes with uraeus, not a crown in itself, but worn to symbolizes the pharaoh's power, with a stylized, upright form of an Egyptian cobra, used as a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, deity and divine authority in ancient Egypt. Ready for battle, clutching a sword in his right hand, raised shield in his left. Joined by another Pharaoh or more likely the Great Royal Wife stands on a column base, her poise expressing both dignity and grace, confidently exhibiting the Vulture Crown, adorned with gold and consisting of a falcon feather headdress with the falcons head protruding out, styled similarly to the cobra, and its wings spread across her head, a symbolic act of protection from the goddess Nekhbet. less