A Pair of Busts Figures

c. 1900

A pair of busts figures (American, c .1900) made by E. F. Caldwell & Co., New York. The figures likely represent a young Louis XIV (1638 - 1715) and his finance minister J. B. Colbert (1629 - 1699). The Louis XIV figure has aquline features and a gaze directed to the left; he wears a long, curly wig which cascades over his shoulders, a lace jabot at his neck and armor. The J. B. Colbert figure is depicted as an older man gazing to the right and wearing a corresponding wig and open jacket with drapery around his shoulders. The tapered supports are finely cast with braid accented with florets, the sides feature pendant garland swags. The bases end in scale work and acanthus leaves, each is inscribed "E. F. Caldwell / & Co. Fecit" on the rear of the base, each rests in a stepped ebonized wood stands

American

ormolu

ebonized wood

13" x 3.75" x 3.5"

Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Charles C. Paterson.

PSNC.1981.1-.2