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Pair of Austrian Busts

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Pair of Austrian Busts

Pair of Austrian Busts
Circa 1900

This delightful pair of Austrian busts captures the charm and theatricality that defined figural ceramics at the turn of the 20th century. Modeled as genre studies of children, each figure is imbued with lively expression—rounded cheeks, parted lips and inquisitive gazes—that reflect the period’s fascination with character and narrative in sculptural form. Their animated presence, enhanced by delicate wire-rim spectacles, places them firmly within the tradition of “character study” figures that appealed to collectors of the era.

Executed in polychrome terracotta, the busts display finely modeled costume details, from the softly rendered lace bonnet and bow to the textured garments and caps. The original hand-painted surfaces remain, with nuanced skin tones and carefully articulated features lending a naturalistic quality to the figures.

The pair belongs to the celebrated Bohemian-Austrian ceramic tradition centered around Turn-Teplitz, one of Europe’s most prolific centers for sculptural pottery during this period. Workshops in this region produced a wide range of expressive figural works, responding to a growing market for decorative objects that combined artistic modeling with narrative appeal. These busts reflect that vibrant industry, where sculptors translated everyday subjects into engaging compositions.

Numbered "495"

Each: 15" high x 10 1/2" wide x 9" deep
Pair of Austrian Busts
Circa 1900

This delightful pair of Austrian busts captures the charm and theatricality that defined figural ceramics at the turn of the 20th century. Modeled as genre studies of children, each figure is imbued with lively expression—rounded cheeks, parted lips and inquisitive gazes—that reflect the period’s fascination with character and narrative in sculptural form. Their animated presence, enhanced by delicate wire-rim spectacles, places them firmly within the tradition of “character study” figures that appealed to collectors of the era.

Executed in polychrome terracotta, the busts display finely modeled costume details, from the softly rendered lace bonnet and bow to the textured garments and caps. The original hand-painted surfaces remain, with nuanced skin tones and carefully articulated features lending a naturalistic quality to the figures.

The pair belongs to the celebrated Bohemian-Austrian ceramic tradition centered around Turn-Teplitz, one of Europe’s most prolific centers for sculptural pottery during this period. Workshops in this region produced a wide range of expressive figural works, responding to a growing market for decorative objects that combined artistic modeling with narrative appeal. These busts reflect that vibrant industry, where sculptors translated everyday subjects into engaging compositions.

Numbered "495"

Each: 15" high x 10 1/2" wide x 9" deep
$1,207.50

Original: $3,450.00

-65%
Pair of Austrian Busts

$3,450.00

$1,207.50

Description

Pair of Austrian Busts
Circa 1900

This delightful pair of Austrian busts captures the charm and theatricality that defined figural ceramics at the turn of the 20th century. Modeled as genre studies of children, each figure is imbued with lively expression—rounded cheeks, parted lips and inquisitive gazes—that reflect the period’s fascination with character and narrative in sculptural form. Their animated presence, enhanced by delicate wire-rim spectacles, places them firmly within the tradition of “character study” figures that appealed to collectors of the era.

Executed in polychrome terracotta, the busts display finely modeled costume details, from the softly rendered lace bonnet and bow to the textured garments and caps. The original hand-painted surfaces remain, with nuanced skin tones and carefully articulated features lending a naturalistic quality to the figures.

The pair belongs to the celebrated Bohemian-Austrian ceramic tradition centered around Turn-Teplitz, one of Europe’s most prolific centers for sculptural pottery during this period. Workshops in this region produced a wide range of expressive figural works, responding to a growing market for decorative objects that combined artistic modeling with narrative appeal. These busts reflect that vibrant industry, where sculptors translated everyday subjects into engaging compositions.

Numbered "495"

Each: 15" high x 10 1/2" wide x 9" deep
Pair of Austrian Busts | M.S. Rau