Pair of heads. France, Empire period, 19th century

Pair of heads. France, Empire period, 19th century.
Gilded bronze.
Measurements: 16 x 8 x 9 cm; 31.5 cm (with base).

A pair of female busts cast in gilded bronze, dating from Imperial-era France, likely originally conceived as ornamental elements for a mantelpiece or a sumptuous decorative ensemble. Both figures are meticulously crafted, with serene, idealized faces, regular features, and a restrained expression, following the standards of beauty found in classical statuary. Particularly elaborate is the treatment of the hair, arranged in small curls on the forehead and long braided strands falling down both sides of the neck, while the head is covered by an ancient-inspired headdress. The combination of these elements with the gilded finish is fully in keeping with the ornamental style developed in France during the Empire period, characterized by a revival of Greco-Roman motifs and a solemn, archaeologizing aesthetic. The renewed interest in antiquity—spurred in the late 18th century by archaeological discoveries and consolidated during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte—made busts, sphinxes, caryatids, Victories, and other classical figures common motifs in furniture and the decorative arts.